What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a special kind of care designed for treatment of anyone given a “hospice diagnosis. ” This care is specific to the medical condition that will eventually end the patient’s life. Hospice care emphasizes palliative care rather than curative treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. The family and the patient are both involved in the plan of care and emotional, spiritual and practical support is provided in accordance with the patient’s wishes and the family’s needs.

Hospice is more than the last few days of someone’s life.

Hospice care is sometimes referred to as “End of Life Care” or “Comfort Care” also. Hospice clinicians and caregivers are specially trained to work with patients who are near the end of their lives, and they provide for the needs of both the patient and their loved ones.

Hospice Care Provides:

• Medical Care & Guidance
• Emotional Support
• Personal Care
• Respite Care
• Comfort Care
• Spiritual Support
• Quality of Life

These provisions are based on special training for end of life patients and focuses on making the transition as comfortable and easy as possible. Care will vary depending on the needs of the patient and their friends and family.

Why is Hospice Care Important?

There are a number of reasons why having hospice care can be beneficial.

• Comfort – Hospice provides the basic need of comfort to the person who is transitioning into the end of life. The process of death in and of itself is not a painful experience; however, the reason or cause of death is usually what creates any pain and discomfort.
• Quality of Life – It is important to allow people who are facing the end of life to live out their final days with a quality of life that is expected in general. This means being kept comfortable along with having dignity as they move through the entire process; while also having their loved ones being informed about what is typical and what to expect during this time.
• Understanding – One of the main points of offering hospice care is to provide both the person who is facing end of life and their loved ones with information so that they have an idea of what is considered “typical” and “normal” while also being able to establish what can be done to make everyone feel most comfortable. This knowledge will help to diminish some fears of the process and helps because most people have no idea about the end of life process itself.
• Functionality – Part of hospice includes having the proper medical items needed to make life easier and better for both the patient and the family. Ensuring that items such as a comfortable and functional bed (often a hospital bed) and proper medical care is administered, is all a part of hospice care.

Hospice care is a specialty of Above and Beyond Hospice , which also provides bereavement support.

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