Hospice: For Patents And Families Facing Life-Threatening Illness

I want to put a spotlight on a non-profit organization that is misunderstood or not well known but which has been brought into not only my family’s life in recent days, but into my brother’s family life at about the same time. Until this writing, I have crafted my own articles. To present what I feel is vitally important about Hospice, I have borrowed language directly from a Hospice website. This was done to provide clarity and accuracy. Therefore, what you are about to read is not my personal opinion but material taken from another source for which I make no apology. Without this great non-profit organization my family would still be trying to figure how to deal with certain specific situations that literally have been taken over by Hospice. This is the best way I know in which to spread the word about a vital service that has such high value I wanted to promote it using any means at my disposal. I will add some additional thoughts following this material:

“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 care is provided through an interdisciplinary, medically directed team. This team approach to care for dying persons typically includes a physician, a nurse, a home health aide, a social worker, a chaplain and a volunteer.

The hospice nurse makes regularly scheduled visits to the patient providing expert pain management and symptom control techniques. Throughout the time that the patient is under the care of hospice, the nurse keeps the primary physician informed of the patient’s condition.
Nurses provide the complete spectrum of skilled nursing care and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Home health aides provide assistance with the personal care of the patient.

Social workers provide assistance with practical and financial concerns as well as emotional support, counseling and bereavement follow-up. They evaluate the need for volunteers and other support services needed by the family and facilitate communication between the family and community agencies.

Chaplains provide spiritual support to patients and families, often serving as a liaison between them and their religious community. Chaplains often assist with memorial services and funeral arrangements.”

I’m back. The only additional input I wish everyone reading to have is this. A person does NOT have to be considered “terminal” or in an “end of life” situation to become a client / patient of Hospice. A few minutes ago I spoke to my wife’s mother, in her apartment. She had been hospitalized from July 4th until yesterday. The women I just spoke with sounded like the same person I have known for 40 years. With Hospice’s assistance she now knows she has additional support and services as well as peace of mind. A hospice nurse has already called to check on her and will be making a visit in a day or so to see her in person. She has been provided with a walker that has a seat so if she becomes tired while going down to the community room in her apartment building, she can sit for awhile. My wife’s sister will not have to stay with her every day next week as she has “back-up” if she needs it. Someone from Hospice will be making routine visits and helping with her everyday needs. My point is you don’t have to wait until someone is dying to bring in Hospice, which was my own misconception. Every year I try to donate to at least one new charity. We know where our next donation is going…

Here is a link to this wonderful organization: http://www.hospicenet.org/index.html

I hope this has made at least one person more aware of what Hospice can do for families.