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What is Hospice?When Patients are at the End of Life, Hospice can Help
Hospice is not a place. It is a group of services family caregivers can utilize when their loved one has a terminal illness and less than six months to live.
The philosophy of hospice is that dying is seen as a natural process of life. Hospice workers allow the process of death to take its course without hastening or prolonging it. They assist those in the dying process, so that they may have the maximum quality of life during their final months and days. Where is Hospice?Hospice is not a place, it is a service which will come to wherever the patient is, though there are some hospice facilities with beds in some locations. Most people receive hospice services in a private home, hospital, nursing home, or other facility. Hospice workers are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The hospice focus on terminal patients is what distinguishes it from other types of in-home care. Who is Eligible for Hospice?In order to be eligible for hospice care, a patient must have a terminal illness as certified by a doctor, with a prognosis of six months or less to live. In addition, the family and patient must have decided that they are no longer seeking “curative treatment.” This means that there is recognition that the patient is dying, that the illness cannot be cured, and that in the event of a heart attack or other life-ending event, resuscitation, life support, and treatment will not be sought. This usually involves signing a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order. Once a DNR is signed and hospice is enlisted, instead of calling 911 in an emergency, the family will call the hospice nurse. The nurse will arrive to administer pain medication as needed and keep the patient as comfortable as possible, as well as provide counseling, information and comfort to family members. What Types of Services Does Hospice Provide?After visiting the patient and developing a care plan, hospice provides services such as:
How is Hospice Paid For?Private health insurance and Medicare usually cover hospice, as does Medicaid in most states. Many hospice organizations seek private donations which enables them to offer services to those without insurance on a sliding fee scale, or for free. Hospice programs are licensed by the state they operate in. More information including operating standards can be found at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. How to Find HospiceTo find hospice providers near you, search the Hospice Foundation of America site. If there is no hospice within your zip code you will see of list of hospice providers in the state in alphabetical order based on city. Choose the city nearest you; hospice usually covers wide geographic areas. Or you can look in a local phone book or ask your doctor. In Canada, visit the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association. Psychological Aspects of Securing Hospice ServicesPeople may hesitate to secure hospice services because they have not yet accepted the fact of their loved one's inevitable death. Sometimes family members who live at a distance put pressure on the caregiver not to enlist hospice. They may see it as giving up rather than accepting the inevitable. Being removed from the situation, they may not understand how much the loved one's quality of life has deteriorated, or they may not yet be able to accept that they are losing their loved one. Family caregivers and patients can derive strength and comfort from Hospice services.
The copyright of the article What is Hospice? in Hospices is owned by Lisa C. DeLuca. Permission to republish What is Hospice? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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