“This allows patients and their caregivers to take advantage of opportunites for transcendency,” Meyers says. “The end of life can be a time of remarkable emotional and spiritual growth. We see people healing damaged relationships, bringing their lives to a close in ways that not only bring them peace but also bring comfort to the family, leaving loved ones with lessons they can carry with them through future generations, until the end of their own lives.”

Meyers is convinced, and hopes to prove, that simultaneous care also saves money.

He argues that patients who receive appropriate pain treatment will make fewer avoidable trips to the emergency room, and patients who have received education about symptom management will require fewer routine and urgent doctor visits. Family members also miss fewer days of work, and suffer less stress

“We can’t afford not to offer simultaneous care,” Meyers contends.

“Not only because of the patient, but also because of the caregiver. Overall, this benefits the entire family unit.”

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Fred Meyers is an early pioneer of the hospice movement.