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Help From Hospice

The goal of hospice is to provide support and care for persons in the last phases of incurable diseases so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life. This program was built on the hope and belief that through appropriate care patients and their families may be free to prepare mentally and spiritually for death.

Hospice programs provide services to terminally ill patients, their families and significant others up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both home and facility settings. Physical, social, emotional and spiritual care is provided by a team of caregivers. Families, professionals and volunteers work together to treat patients in the last stages of illness, attending during the dying process, and helping families during bereavement.

Patients must have a terminal diagnosis (life expectancy of less than 6 months) to receive hospice care. If the patient is able-bodied and independent, the hospice will treat the patient in the home with help from the patient"s family, if available. If the patient is unable to care for himself, the hospice will arrange for care in a hospice-operated, in-patient facility or work with a nearby nursing home for hospital on a contract basis to care for the patient. Hospices try to provide as close to a home-like setting as possible for the patient.

The hospice care approach

The primary goal of hospice care is to manage or control pain and other symptoms and to alleviate the fears most commonly associated with terminal illnesses. Most pain and symptoms can be managed in a home setting using oral medications.

Some of the fears hospice care addresses include:

  • fear of pain related to the illness
  • fear of becoming a burden to the family, and
  • fear of financing the cost of a terminal illness

The hospice team of doctors, nurses, psychologists, spiritual counselors and volunteers provide such support services as administering medication, lending equipment, shopping, cleaning and running errands for the patient. Generally, the hospice staff can be reached 24 hours a day and will visit a patient when needed.

Availability of hospice care

Those seeking hospice care for a friend or relative can find a listing in their local telephone directory"s yellow pages. However, most people find out about a particular hospice through a friend, neighbor or family member who has been involved with hospice care. Other ways to obtain information about hospice care are through a pastor, a physician"s referral, newspaper advertisements and community club presentations (i.e., Kiwanas, Rotary, local library and others).

There are more than 3,195 hospices in the United Kingdom and more than 3,000 throughout the United States and Puerto Rico . Great Britain is now the leading country for palliative care training and treatment.

How hospice prepares the family

Hospice care does not only care for the individual, but for the family, as well. Hospice staff members and volunteers attempt to meet the needs of patients and families by:

  • Addressing the physical needs of the patient, such as a hospital bed, commode chair or walker.
  • Attempting to fulfill the heartfelt needs of the patient, no matter how big or small.
  • Serving as go-betweens for the patient and his or her doctor.
  • Teaching the family how to administer pain medications.
  • Instructing the family on how to make caring for the patient a team effort.
  • Encouraging the family to surround themselves with a network of support from friends and church members.
  • Challenging family to reminisce and take time out for lighthearted moments with the patient.
  • Urging the family members to express their true feelings about what is happening.
  • Preparing the family for when the patient passes away, adjusting expectations and discussing who to call first, etc. when the time comes. This training is often a comfort to the family.
  • Giving the family breaks and running errands for family or patient.
  • Offering companionship to the patient.
  • Helping the family plan the funeral (which volunteers and staff members often attend), sending cards and letters, and offering continuing psychological and spiritual counsel to the family for as long as needed.

The cost of hospice care

Hospice care is a very cost-effective way of caring for a terminally ill person. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid (in some states), most private-insurance groups and HMOs. Families may be asked to meet some uncovered costs. However, hospices rarely, if ever, turn down patients for financial reasons. Public and community support through donations, grants, memorial gifts and fund-raising events assist to help cover the cost of care.

Last updated September 2004.

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