Health Ministries
Hospice
Posted January 6th, 2006 by webmaster
by Sandy Theis
When is someone appropriate for Hospice? What is Hospice? Isn’t Hospice just for people with cancer?
These are frequently asked questions. It may help you or someone you know to understand more about Hospice care.
Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care through physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The first Hospices, during medieval times, were places of rest for weary travelers. Patients and families find rest from the wearying experience of fighting a terminal illness, rest from endless tests, waiting rooms, and hospital stays. Hospice allows the patient to simply…live.
Hospice care is not limited to individuals with cancer. Approximately forty percent of Hospice clients have a disease process other than cancer. Individuals are eligible for Hospice care once it has been determined that there are no longer curative options for their disease or when the risks of treatment outweigh the gains, and their physician estimates the individual’s life expectancy to be months rather than years. Although nothing can be done to cure the disease, a lot can be done to keep the individual comfortable and enhance their quality of life.
Hospice provides pain and symptom management. The goal in Hospice care is to keep patients as physically comfortable as possible. The Hospice team is trained to manage symptoms including pain, nausea, shortness of breath, limited mobility and changes in nutritional status. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to participate in the plan of care and are provided with education and assistance necessary to best manage symptoms. The patient’s dignity and sense of control are always a prime consideration.
Hospice provides emotional support. In addition to physical needs, patients and their families experience a range of concerns and anxieties, everything from how to cope with the dying process and associated losses, to how to access community resources. Social work professionals provide support to patients and families as they cope with many emotions during this difficult journey. They may also walk families through financial, insurance, and legal concerns, as necessary.
Hospice provides spiritual support. For many patients spirituality is the primary source of emotional strength. Hospice defines spirituality in a much broader context than just religion, and strives to meet spiritual needs as the patient and family define them. Hospice can provide spiritual care or serve as a liaison between the Hospice team and the patient’s faith community.
The decision to seek Hospice care is a reversible one. Patients may discontinue Hospice care at any time.
When is someone appropriate for Hospice? What is Hospice? Isn’t Hospice just for people with cancer?
These are frequently asked questions. It may help you or someone you know to understand more about Hospice care.
Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care through physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The first Hospices, during medieval times, were places of rest for weary travelers. Patients and families find rest from the wearying experience of fighting a terminal illness, rest from endless tests, waiting rooms, and hospital stays. Hospice allows the patient to simply…live.
Hospice care is not limited to individuals with cancer. Approximately forty percent of Hospice clients have a disease process other than cancer. Individuals are eligible for Hospice care once it has been determined that there are no longer curative options for their disease or when the risks of treatment outweigh the gains, and their physician estimates the individual’s life expectancy to be months rather than years. Although nothing can be done to cure the disease, a lot can be done to keep the individual comfortable and enhance their quality of life.
Hospice provides pain and symptom management. The goal in Hospice care is to keep patients as physically comfortable as possible. The Hospice team is trained to manage symptoms including pain, nausea, shortness of breath, limited mobility and changes in nutritional status. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to participate in the plan of care and are provided with education and assistance necessary to best manage symptoms. The patient’s dignity and sense of control are always a prime consideration.
Hospice provides emotional support. In addition to physical needs, patients and their families experience a range of concerns and anxieties, everything from how to cope with the dying process and associated losses, to how to access community resources. Social work professionals provide support to patients and families as they cope with many emotions during this difficult journey. They may also walk families through financial, insurance, and legal concerns, as necessary.
Hospice provides spiritual support. For many patients spirituality is the primary source of emotional strength. Hospice defines spirituality in a much broader context than just religion, and strives to meet spiritual needs as the patient and family define them. Hospice can provide spiritual care or serve as a liaison between the Hospice team and the patient’s faith community.
The decision to seek Hospice care is a reversible one. Patients may discontinue Hospice care at any time.
