Modern medical advances have increased life expectancy. But they can’t spare patients from the physical pain and emotional stress caused by serious illnesses.

In a new GHN Commentary, an Atlanta-area physician, Dr. Victor Alvarez, says palliative and hospice care can alleviate patients’ physical pain, “as well as help them and their loved ones cope with the cascading effects of serious illness.’’

“Recent studies show that too many patients are referred to such care too late and that the full benefit of the care is not received,’’ writes Alvarez, medical director of Evercare Hospice & Palliative Care in Atlanta.

Here is a link to his Commentary.

Georgia Health News welcomes Commentary submissions. If you would like to propose a Commentary piece for Georgia Health News, please email Andy Miller, editor of GHN, at amiller@georgiahealthnews.com