Coping with a life-threatening illness doesn’t have to be full of pain, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms, but people aren’t always aware of options that can help.

The Murfreesboro community can learn more about two care options available to them – palliative care and hospice care – at a free seminar on Jan. 24.

This community event, which will be hosted by Middle Tennessee Medical Center and Alive Hospice, is set for Monday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2303 Jones Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Call 615-896-4663 to RSVP.

Speakers will include Dr. James Nunnery, medical director of palliative medicine at Middle Tennessee Medical Center, and Pam Barnes, clinical director of Alive Hospice’s Murfreesboro Team.

Topics will include palliative care and hospice care; who these care options can help; and how. This event will be beneficial for anyone who may serve as a caregiver for others at some point in life, and for those who want to learn about care options in advance of a serious illness.

Palliative care and hospice care enhance quality of life for patients through pain and symptom management and emotional and spiritual support. Palliative care can help patients who may have years to live as they continue curative treatments; hospice is beneficial for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired.

For more information about MTMC’s Palliative Care Team, call 615-396-4100 or visit www.mtmc.org/palliativecare. For more information about Alive Hospice, call 615-327-1085 or visit www.alivehospice.org.