Hospice - what is it and how can it help?
Jan 03 '01 (Updated Jun 13 '01)
The Bottom Line A loving, caring, organization that can help tremendously during someone's final days.
Working in geriatric care provided me with an experience that has changed my life forever. When I decided to become a nursing assistant it was because I genuinely wanted to help patients cope with the tasks of daily life. I wanted to be a friend, a caregiver, and make someone's life better just by being in it.
I had no idea before my first shift in a nursing home that the most rewarding part of my job was not necessarily helping my patients, but being there for the families involved. It only took a short time before I realized that a lot of people in long term care facilities were dying, not living, and my job was to make that death more comfortable.
What is Hospice
Hospice care involves a team of people, typically consisting of the patients physician, family, a nursing staff and volunteers that is there to make the patients transition to death pain-free and dignified. A good hospice team also provides emotional support to the patients family, starting with taking over daily duties required to maintain a comfortable environment for the patient during their last days, weeks or months of life. This includes bathing, grooming, and social interaction. Most importantly, hospice provides counseling for both the patient and the family. While a lot of people choose hospice for in home care, the services can also be provided in a nursing home, hospice center, or other long term care facility.
Is hospice right for us?
This is a question to be discussed mainly between three parties - the patient, the family, and the physician(s) involved. Hospice is designed for the terminally ill patient who has a short time to live. Once hospice is chosen, the focus becomes caring for the patient, not curing the patient. This means that no attempts at CPR will be made in the event the patient stops breathing. Very little "medical" intervention will take place once hospice is chosen, except for pain-relieving measures. For example, if the hospice patient slips and falls in the bathroom at home, the family will be instructed to call hospice before 911. Your hospice team becomes your main point of communication for medical situations. These are all things to consider before choosing hospice.
What are the benefits of hospice
In *my* experience, hospice patients tend to receive a better quality of care. They get more individualized attention and hospice typically tries to use the same staff members routinely so that a relationship can be developed between the patient, family and staff. It is also very nice to have hospice staff to "take care of the little things" and allow the family more time for emotional issues. For example, I personally think it is great that a hospice aid will come and give the patient his or her shower or change the catheter bag and leave the family more time to deal with the other things going on in their lives without having to worry.
Of course, one of the nicest things about hospice is the response I have seen at the time of death. For example, if a patient passes away at 4:00am hospice is immediately contacted and someone will be at the place of death right away. They will assist the family in contacting the funeral home (if there is one) and taking care of any other immediate requirements. Furthermore, I have always appreciated watching hospice give a hug to the family, letting them know that they care and they understand. No matter how much death is anticipated or even welcomed, it is still an emotionally trying time for loved ones involved and I think it is great to have someone there to give the family the comfort needed.
OK - hospice is something I am interested in. How do I find out more?
First of all, talk to the physician. There is also a great website at http://www.nhpco.org/ that will give you more information than I discussed here. Hospice does not discriminate and there is no religious requirement, although the hospice team will work with clergy if desired. Also, hospice is covered by most insurance plans including medicare.
This is a painful time for most people and emotionally I have been fortunate to deal with it only on a professional level. However, I have seen the benefits of this organization and would recommend it to anyone in this difficult and painful position.
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hhassell99
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Member: Heather Sawyer
Location: Lakewood, CO
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Home Schooling, Breastfeeding, SAHM and a whole list of other qualities that annoy people.
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