Passion for Hospice

One of the passions in my life is my love for hospice and what it offers to those needing support.  It is not a medical model but rather a holistic model of caring for people.  Hospice care begins when curative treatment is no longer expected to be effective.  This care does not hasten nor postpone death, but respectfully recognizes dying as a natural process.  Support is given to patient and family members during this difficult time as pain is experienced in physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual forms.   Our hospice team comes to the patient, whether that be in his/her home, assisted living, or nursing home. The patient and family have choices, one of them being their choice of  hospices.  If the patient is in a nursing home which is serviced by more than one hospice, the patient and family must be given the opportunity to choose the hospice they would like.  They also have voice in their care.  These are the patient and family's rights.  Explore your options in order to make wise decisions. Once you have made these decisions, lean on your chosen team for support. Hospice is providing solutions in difficult time; it is being close in a time of fear, and it is a friend when needed.  God bless.