Hospice is a not a place, it is special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity
Hospice Care:
- is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
- addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.
- deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.
- offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.
Video Series
The six-video sequence shown below was produced by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The topics are:
- Understanding Hospice Care - An Introduction
- What is Hospice Care?
- Types of Hospice Care Services
- When to Begin Hospice
- Paying for Hospice Care
- Choosing a Hospice
