|  Hospice
is a family-centered approach of care that includes services
provided by a
team of doctors, nurses, nursing assistants,
social workers, bereavement specialists, spiritual care coordinators
and volunteers. They work together focusing on the needs of
patients with a life-threatening illness who have a life-expectancy
measured in months rather than years.
The goals of hospice care focus on keeping the patient comfortable through pain control and on providing emotional support to both the patient and family members. Hospice care is not for individuals who are seeking aggressive, curative treatment.
Common Misconceptions of Hospice Care:
- Hospice is only for the last days of life . Individuals living with a life-threatening illness with a life expectancy measured in months and who are not seeking aggressive, curative treatment can fully benefit from the full scope of hospice services if they call for help sooner.
- I will have to stop all treatment. This is no longer the case. Many patients who are receiving treatment still benefit from hospice or our palliative home care services.
- I will have to give up all hope. Many are surprised to find that the focus of the hospice staff is on living fully. Good pain and symptom control may allow patients to be up and about to enjoy time with family and friends. Some patients improve and can be discharged from hospice when appropriate.
- I will have to give up my doctor. Patients remain with their personal physicians with whom hospice will work closely. This team approach enables optimal care in accordance with the wishes of patients and families.
- Can’t afford it. Hospice care is covered by the Medicare Hospice benefit, Medicaid and most private insurers. (All private insurers in Rhode Island cover hospice care.
- Hospice is a place. Hospice care takes place wherever the need exists—usually the patient’s home. However, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island provides care also in nursing homes, hospitals, and at our inpatient unit, The Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence.
- Hospice is only for people with cancer. More than one-fifth of hospice patients nation-wide have diagnoses other than cancer. Increasingly, hospices are also serving patients and families coping with end-stages of chronic diseases, like emphysema, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular, liver, renal and neuromuscular diseases and AIDS.
- Once you are on hospice, you can’t go off. Often a person my need hospice for pain control or symptom management. When the person’s symptoms and pains are under control they can be discharged if they wish.
- Hospice can only help when family members are available to provide care. Recognizing that seriously ill people may live alone, or with family members unable to provide care, many hospices like Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island coordinate community resources to make home care possible. Or they help to find an alternative location where the patient can safely receive care.
Related Links:
|
