Hospice, In General

Hospice is a concept of caring derived from medieval times, symbolizing a place where travelers, pilgrims and the sick, wounded or dying could find rest and comfort. The contemporary hospice offers a comprehensive program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness. Hospice is primarily a concept of care, not a specific place of care.
Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided. The patient and family are both included in the care plan and emotional, spiritual and practical support is given based on the patient’s wishes and family’s needs. Trained volunteers can offer respite care for family members as well as meaningful support to the patient.
Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice provides personalized services and a caring community so that patients and families can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is satisfactory to them.
Those involved in the process of dying have a variety of physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. The nature of dying is so unique that the goal of the hospice team is to be sensitive and responsive to the special requirements of each individual and family.
Hospice care is provided to patients who have a limited life expectancy. Although most hospice patients are cancer patients, hospices accept anyone regardless of age or type of illness. These patients have also made a decision to spend their last months at home or in a homelike setting.
* Hospice is not a place. Most hospice care takes place within the dying person’s home, whether it is his or her own home, the home of a family member or friend, a nursing or assisted living facility. Other options, if available from the provider, include a residential hospice facility or a hospice unit within a hospital.
* Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
* The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last weeks, days and hours by offering comfort and dignity.
* Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals (including as physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy), as well as volunteers and family members.
* Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.
* Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.
* Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.
* Hospice professionals make routine visits to the home, but family and/or friends are nearly always involved in care. Some families choose to hire additional services from private nursing agencies, which are typically not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.
* Hospices use trained volunteers to help with household chores and to give family caregivers respite time. For example, a volunteer can give the family caregiver a chance to run errands or simply take a walk or nap.
* If a patient’s condition improves during hospice care or if the patient desires, the patient can discontinue hospice care.
Hospice is end of life care. It is for the patient and the family. Hospice care is a way of life for those at the end of theirs. It is the intention of Hospice care to allow the terminally ill to die a pain free death and to feel fulfilled when they pass away.

(2008).What is Hospice? Hospice Foundation of America. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from https://www.hospicefoundation.org/
(n.d.). The Hospice Concept. Hospice. Retrieved on September 2, 2008, from http://www.hospicenet.org/html/concept.html