I often find, when I talk with patients and families about hospice care, there is a palpable sense of relief; relief that there is another option when facing a terminal diagnosis or end stage disease process.
Families who have participated in caring for their loved one at the end of life are grateful for the guidance provided in hospice care. Patients in turn are grateful to spend their last days at home or in a home like environment surrounded by their families. Although people frequently associate hospice with a cancer diagnosis, there are several circumstances that are appropriate for hospice care including severe cardiac disease and heart failure, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and advanced pulmonary disease.
Hospice care is covered under most insurance plans including Medicare. Hospice is a comprehensive approach to patients focused on caring not curing with an emphasis on the physical, social, cultural, emotional and spiritual needs of both patient and family. Hospice is a holistic alternative to aggressive and procedure oriented medicine with the goal of comfort and relief of symptoms to improve the quality of life.
The philosophy of hospice accepts death as a natural part of life. Hospice care includes counseling services, prescriptions, medical supplies and home health aides. Additionally, caregivers are supported and assisted to care for their loved one and come to terms with the impending loss.
Upon entering hospice, an individualized plan of care is developed with an emphasis on respecting the patient’s wishes and enhancing the family’s communication. The plan is up dated as appropriate with an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, therapists, a chaplain, pharmacist and nutritionist. A primary care giver will be guided to aid the patient in feeding, bathing, administering medications and supporting the patient. The hospice staff is available by phone 24 hours a day for assistance with pain and symptom control. Bereavement services are provided for families up to one year after the death offering grief and spiritual counseling.
Volunteers are an important part of the hospice experience serving to demystify the dying experience and provide a humane and personal touch for patients and families. Opportunities for volunteers include support for patients and respite care for families, bereavement care and administrative activities. Volunteers find work with hospice intellectually stimulating and meaningful.
The American Hospice Foundation summarizes their philosophy as follows “Hospice is not about dying; hospice is living each moment fully”.
Aldebra Schroll is a family physician who blogs An Apple a Day.
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