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A nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering
underserved populations to make informed healthcare
decisions.
What is Hospice?
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“Hospice” is a term
rooted in the centuries-old idea of offering hospitality to those on a long
journey. Today, hospice is a healthcare initiative offering specialized
benefits to those suffering from a life-threatening condition and their
families. Hospice care empowers patients to live their final days to the
fullest in the comfort of a familiar environment, surrounded by their loved
ones.
Hospice care
consists of comprehensive palliative medical care (treatment to provide for the
reduction or abatement of pain and other troubling symptoms, rather than
treatment aimed at cure), and supportive social, emotional, and spiritual
services to the terminally ill and their families. This care is most often
delivered in the patient’s place of residence (private home, nursing home or
other facility). Hospice reaffirms the right of every person and family to
participate fully in this final stage of life's journey.
The hospice
interdisciplinary team coordinates an individualized plan of care for each
patient and family. These plans include:
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Nursing care
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Medical social services
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Physician services
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Spiritual support and counseling
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Home care and homemaker services
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Trained volunteers for support services
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Physical, occupational and speech therapies
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24-hour on-call availability
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Hospice in-patient care
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Respite care
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Bereavement support
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Continuous care in the home
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All palliative medications and comfort accessories required by the patient
Nursing Care
Back to top
Registered nurses coordinate the care plan for every hospice patient. RNs
provide direct patient care, and check symptoms and medication. The nurse is
the link between the patient and his or her family and the physician. (Patient
and family education is an important part of every visit.) The nurse can also
help evaluate the patient's condition.
Medical Social Services Back to top
The social worker provides advice and counseling
to the patient and all family members during the crisis period. The social
worker assists other care team members in understanding the family dynamics and
acts as an advocate for the patient and family in making use of community
resources.
Physician Services Back to top
The patient's physician approves the plan of care and works with the hospice
team. In a full hospice program, a hospice medical director is available to the
attending physician, the patient, and the hospice care team as a consultant and
a resource.
Spiritual Support and Counseling Back to top
With the patient’s and/or family’s approval, clergy and other counselors are
available to visit and provide spiritual support. Hospice also uses churches
and congregations to aid the patient and family as requested.
Home Care Aide and Homemaker Services Back to top
Home care aides provide personal care for the patient, such as bathing,
shampooing, shaving, and nail care. Homemakers may be available for light
housekeeping or meal preparation.
Trained Volunteers for Support Services Back to top
Early hospices were founded and operated by volunteers. These dedicated
people continue to be the backbone of today's hospice. They are trained in good listening skills and provide compassionate support for
both patient and family. They offer companionship and help with everyday tasks
such as shopping, babysitting, and car pooling; any tasks which are part of the
family's routine. Volunteer services may also include professional and personal
care services as described in the above sections.
Physical,Occupational, and Speech Therapies Back to top
Daily living tasks such as walking, dressing, or feeding oneself can become
frustrating and impossible during an illness. Therapists help the patient
develop new ways to accomplish these tasks.
24-Hour On-call Availability Back to top
A hospice team member is on call 24/7. If a
problem should arise, the team member may offer advice over the phone and, if
necessary, make a visit.
Hospice In-patient Care Back to top
Although hospice care is centered in the home, it
sometimes becomes necessary to admit the patient to a hospital, extended care
facility, or a hospice in-patient facility. The hospice can arrange for this
care and will stay involved in the patient's treatment and with the family,
resuming in-home care when appropriate.
Respite Care Back to top
To provide relief for family members, the hospice may arrange a brief period of
in-patient care for the patient.
Bereavement Support Back to top
Bereavement is the time of mourning that we all experience following a loss.
The hospice care team works with surviving family members to help them through
the grieving process. Support may include a trained volunteer or counselor
visiting family members at specific periods during the first year, phone calls
and/or letter contact, and the opportunity to participate in support groups.
The hospice will also refer family members to medical or other professional
care if necessary.
Continuous Care in the Home Back to top
If the patient's needs
require it, or if the family can no longer manage the level of care required
around the clock, hospice staff will provide care for 8- to 24-hour periods on
a short-term basis.
All palliative medications and comfort accessories required by the patient
Back to top
Hospice care providers make all provisions for medications for pain and symptom management.
In addition, they arrange for accessory items that contribute to the ease and comfort of the patient,
such as hospital beds, diapers, catheters, bandages, etc. Relieved of these extra responsibilities and concerns,
the family is able to spend more time with their loved one.
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