Understanding Hospice Care in Korean

Discussing end-of-life care requires sensitivity and specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to hospice care (호스피스), helping you navigate conversations about palliative support, patient comfort, and family needs in Korean. Understanding these expressions is crucial for communicating effectively in medical or personal situations involving hospice.

Core Expression

• Expression: 호스피스
  Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu
  Meaning: Hospice (Care focused on palliation for terminally ill patients)

Related Vocabulary

This section covers key terms associated with hospice and end-of-life care.

• Expression: 완화 의료
  Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo
  Meaning: Palliative care

• Expression: 말기 환자
  Pronunciation: mal-gi hwan-ja
  Meaning: Terminal patient

• Expression: 통증 관리
  Pronunciation: tong-jeung gwan-ri
  Meaning: Pain management

• Expression: 간병인
  Pronunciation: gan-byeong-in
  Meaning: Caregiver / Carer

• Expression: 임종
  Pronunciation: im-jong
  Meaning: End of life / Deathbed

• Expression: 돌봄
  Pronunciation: dol-bom
  Meaning: Care / Caring

• Expression: 위로
  Pronunciation: wi-ro
  Meaning: Comfort / Consolation

• Expression: 지지
  Pronunciation: ji-ji
  Meaning: Support

• Expression: 자원봉사자
  Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja
  Meaning: Volunteer

• Expression: 병동
  Pronunciation: byeong-dong
  Meaning: Ward (hospital)

• Expression: 가정 호스피스
  Pronunciation: ga-jeong ho-seu-pi-seu
  Meaning: Home hospice

• Expression: 요양원
  Pronunciation: yo-yang-won
  Meaning: Nursing home / Care facility

Discussing Hospice Services

Use these phrases when inquiring about or discussing hospice services.

• Expression: 호스피스 병동을 찾고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu byeong-dong-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I am looking for a hospice ward.

• Expression: 완화 의료에 대해 더 알고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-e dae-hae deo al-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would like to know more about palliative care.

• Expression: 통증 관리는 어떻게 이루어지나요?
  Pronunciation: tong-jeung gwan-ri-neun eo-tteo-ke i-ru-eo-ji-na-yo?
  Meaning: How is pain management conducted?

• Expression: 간병인 지원 서비스가 있습니까?
  Pronunciation: gan-byeong-in ji-won seo-bi-seu-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Are there caregiver support services available?

• Expression: 임종 돌봄에 대한 정보가 필요해요.
  Pronunciation: im-jong dol-bom-e dae-han jeong-bo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I need information about end-of-life care.

• Expression: 환자에게 가장 편안한 환경을 제공하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: hwan-ja-e-ge ga-jang pyeon-an-han hwan-gyeong-eul je-gong-ha-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to provide the most comfortable environment for the patient.

• Expression: 가족 상담 프로그램도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ga-jok sang-dam peu-ro-geu-raem-do in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there family counseling programs as well?

• Expression: 호스피스 자원봉사를 신청하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu ja-won-bong-sa-reul sin-cheong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would like to apply to volunteer for hospice.

• Expression: 가정 호스피스 이용 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: ga-jeong ho-seu-pi-seu i-yong jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What is the procedure for using home hospice?

• Expression: 호스피스 케어 비용은 어느 정도인가요?
  Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu ke-eo bi-yong-eun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Approximately how much does hospice care cost?

• Expression: 환자의 존엄성을 지키는 것이 중요합니다.
  Pronunciation: hwan-ja-ui jon-eom-seong-eul ji-ki-neun geo-si jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Protecting the patient’s dignity is important.

• Expression: 어떤 종류의 지원을 받을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui ji-won-eul ba-deul su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of support can we receive?

Expressing Support and Comfort

These phrases are useful for offering comfort and support to patients and their families.

• Expression: 힘내세요.
  Pronunciation: him-nae-se-yo.
  Meaning: Stay strong. / Cheer up.

• Expression: 제가 도울 일이 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: je-ga do-ul i-ri i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Is there anything I can help with?

• Expression: 부디 편안하게 지내시길 바랍니다.
  Pronunciation: bu-di pyeon-an-ha-ge ji-nae-si-gil ba-ram-ni-da.
  Meaning: I sincerely hope you stay comfortable.

• Expression: 항상 곁에 있겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: hang-sang gyeo-te i-kket-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will always be by your side.

• Expression: 어떤 이야기든 들어드릴 준비가 되어 있어요.
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon i-ya-gi-deun deu-reo-deu-ril jun-bi-ga doe-eo i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I’m ready to listen to whatever you want to talk about.

• Expression: 어려운 시기지만, 잘 이겨내실 거라 믿어요.
  Pronunciation: eo-ryeo-un si-gi-ji-man, jal i-gyeo-nae-sil geo-ra mi-deo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s a difficult time, but I believe you will get through it well.

• Expression: 환자분을 위해 기도하겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: hwan-ja-bun-eul wi-hae gi-do-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will pray for the patient.

• Expression: 가족분들도 건강 잘 챙기셔야 해요.
  Pronunciation: ga-jok-bun-deul-do geon-gang jal chaeng-gi-syeo-ya hae-yo.
  Meaning: The family members also need to take good care of their health.

• Expression: 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 연락 주세요.
  Pronunciation: do-u-mi pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please contact me anytime if you need help.

• Expression: 작은 위로라도 되었으면 좋겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ja-geun wi-ro-ra-do doe-eot-seu-myeon jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I hope this can be even a small comfort.

• Expression: 마음이 많이 무거우시겠어요.
  Pronunciation: ma-eu-mi ma-ni mu-geo-u-si-ge-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: Your heart must be very heavy. (Expressing empathy)

• Expression: 필요한 것이 있으면 말씀해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: pil-yo-han geo-si i-sseu-myeon mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please tell me if there is anything you need.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding cultural context is important when discussing sensitive topics like hospice care in Korea.

• Family-Centered Care: Traditionally, caring for elderly or ill parents is seen as a filial duty (효도 – hyo-do). Family members are often heavily involved in care decisions and providing support, even when professional hospice services are used.
• Changing Perceptions: While hospice care was less common in the past, awareness and acceptance have grown significantly. However, some families might still feel a sense of guilt or hesitation about utilizing hospice, viewing it as “giving up” or outsourcing family responsibility.
• Communication Styles: Direct conversations about death and dying can sometimes be avoided, especially with the patient, out of a desire to protect them from distress. Decisions might be discussed more among family members first. However, this is changing, and open communication is becoming more common.
• Respect for Elders: Decisions regarding care often involve consulting with and respecting the wishes of the eldest family members, although the patient’s autonomy is increasingly emphasized.
• Spiritual and Religious Aspects: For many Koreans, spiritual or religious beliefs play a role in coping with illness and end-of-life. Hospice care often includes provisions for spiritual support according to the patient’s and family’s beliefs.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Jiwon (B), are discussing hospice options for Minjun’s ailing father.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (Seeking information about hospice)
* B: Jiwon (Supportive friend offering help)

• Expression: A: 아버지 상태가 안 좋아지셔서 호스피스를 알아보고 있어.
  Pronunciation: A: a-beo-ji sang-tae-ga an jo-a-ji-syeo-seo ho-seu-pi-seu-reul a-ra-bo-go i-sseo.
  Meaning: A: My father’s condition has worsened, so I’m looking into hospice.

• Expression: B: 아… 정말 마음이 무겁겠다. 도움이 필요하면 언제든 말해. 혹시 완화 의료 병동을 찾는 거야?
  Pronunciation: B: a… jeong-mal ma-eu-mi mu-geop-get-da. do-u-mi pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun mal-hae. hok-si wan-hwa ui-ryo byeong-dong-eul chan-neun geo-ya?
  Meaning: B: Oh… that must weigh heavily on your heart. Tell me anytime if you need help. Are you perhaps looking for a palliative care ward?

• Expression: A: 응, 통증 관리도 잘 되고, 가족 지원 프로그램도 있는 곳이면 좋겠어. 가정 호스피스도 고려 중이야.
  Pronunciation: A: eung, tong-jeung gwan-ri-do jal doe-go, ga-jok ji-won peu-ro-geu-raem-do in-neun go-si-myeon jo-ke-sseo. ga-jeong ho-seu-pi-seu-do go-ryeo jung-i-ya.
  Meaning: A: Yes, it would be good if they have good pain management and family support programs. I’m also considering home hospice.

• Expression: B: 그렇구나. 주변에 호스피스 전문 병원이 몇 군데 있어. 같이 정보를 찾아볼까? 환자분과 가족 모두에게 편안한 곳을 찾는 게 중요하니까.
  Pronunciation: B: geu-reo-ku-na. ju-byeon-e ho-seu-pi-seu jeon-mun byeong-won-i myeot gun-de i-sseo. ga-chi jeong-bo-reul cha-ja-bol-kka? hwan-ja-bun-gwa ga-jok mo-du-e-ge pyeon-an-han go-seul chan-neun ge jung-yo-ha-ni-kka.
  Meaning: B: I see. There are a few specialized hospice hospitals nearby. Shall we look up information together? It’s important to find a comfortable place for both the patient and the family.

• Expression: A: 정말 고마워, 지원아. 혼자 알아보려니 막막했는데.
  Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal go-ma-wo, ji-won-a. hon-ja a-ra-bo-ryeo-ni mak-mak-kaen-neun-de.
  Meaning: A: Thank you so much, Jiwon. I felt lost trying to figure it out alone.

• Expression: B: 아니야, 힘든 시기일 텐데 당연히 도와야지. 아버지께서 편안하게 지내시는 게 최우선이잖아.
  Pronunciation: B: a-ni-ya, him-deun si-gi-il ten-de dang-yeon-hi do-wa-ya-ji. a-beo-ji-kke-seo pyeon-an-ha-ge ji-nae-si-neun ge choe-u-seon-i-ja-na.
  Meaning: B: Not at all, it must be a difficult time, of course I should help. Your father’s comfort is the top priority, right?

Practice Tips

Learning vocabulary for sensitive topics like hospice care takes practice and care~ Try reviewing the terms and phrases regularly. You might see these words used in Korean dramas or films dealing with illness or family matters. If appropriate, you could practice discussing the concepts (not personal situations unless invited) with Korean-speaking friends or language partners, focusing on pronunciation and understanding the nuances. Remember to always approach such topics with sensitivity! Good luck with your studies!