The Oxford English
Dictionary defines Hospice as "a house of rest and entertainment for pilgrims,
travelers or strangers for the destitute or the sick." The hospice philosophy centers
on providing palliative and holistic medical care for those patients with less than six
months to live. When a patient elects
hospice, that patient ceases curative treatment that would be futile and starts
palliative care of pain and symptoms. The hospice philosophy centers on providing relieve
of the pain associated with a particular illness.
In
addition, hospice seeks to provide holistic care, treating not only the body, but also the
spirit, mind, and soul - helping family members as well.
A team of dedicated health
care professionals provide care. Traditional care for the dying lacks a
comprehensive coordination of services. Hospice
attempts to rectify this lack of coordination, with an interdisciplinary approach. Nurses, psychosocial professionals, physicians,
volunteers, hospitals, and community services are coordinated through a central hospice
program. Each professional contributes a service
specialty.
By coordinating services, Hospice provides the patient with a seamless
continuum of health care at the end stages of life.
When a person nears the end of life, he or she deserves
to live the rest of their life, fully comfortably, and with dignity. Toward this goal, the
United Hospice team provides dedicated quality holistic care, treating the physical,
social, and spiritual being as the patient approaches his or her final days.
- Comfort, care and support
- Emotional care, support, and closure
- Personal and spiritual peace
- Self-respect
- The fullness of and respect for life
Hospice service benefits are provided by most insurance companies, Medicare, and
Medicaid. United Hospice provides hospice service regardless of the patients ability
to pay.
Individuals are eligible for hospice care if:
- They have a life-limiting illness
- They are referred to hospice by their physician
- They choose hospice care
No matter what the living setting may be, an interdisciplinary team of
professionals oversees the care of the patient.
Patient's Physician
- Integral to the hospice plan
- All medical care is prescribed by the patient's physician
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Skilled Registered Nurses
- Experience registered nurses provide pain and symptom management
- Monitor the patient's condition
- Teach the care givers
- Provide 24 hour on-call service
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Medical Social Workers
- Ease the stress of emotional and financial concerns
- Provide counsel to both patient and family
- Are a referral source to other community services
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Chaplains
- Offer spiritual care in accordance with the wishes of the patient and family
- Coordinate services of hospice and patient's minister, priest, or rabbi
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Personal Care Aide Services
- Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and feeding
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Volunteer Services
- An individual to talk openly about feelings
- Companionship so the patient is "not alone"
- Provide favorite foods or music
- Join in favorite pastimes
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Bereavement Services:
- Individual and family counseling for 13 months after the death of the patient
- Support groups for those experiencing the death of a loved one
- Volunteer visits
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Respite Services
- Should the time come for additional care for the patient, or for some relief of the
primary care giver, United Hospice can help. We can assist you with the
responsibilities by placing the patient in a hospital or nursing home inpatient setting
for short periods of time.
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Other Services
- Furnish medical equipment related to the life-limiting illness
- Provide medical supplies and medication related to the life limiting illness
- Counseling and consultation by pharmacists and dieticians
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Family members and/or friends who provide care for the patient in conjunction with the
professional team are termed "care givers." Sharing the care of a loved
one can be hard work but certainly has its rewards. These people:
- Give medications
- Help the patient stay as mobile and active as possible
- Listen and respond to the patients needs
- Take certain steps in specific situations
- Advocate for the patient when needed
United Hospice offices
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