Hospice

Generally, each hospital has a Hospice department within the facility. There are many misconceptions about Hospice and what they do. Hospice provides services to those at home, in nursing homes or in the hospital. Through the caring community of skilled staff and trained volunteers, their goal is to improve the quality of life for the patient and their family.

Hospice normally includes: Medical care Hospice nurses Social workers Spiritual caregivers Volunteers Bereavement counselors

In order to enroll in Hospice, a patient has to have certain requirements: The patient must be diagnosed with a limited life expectancy of six months or less. The patient and physician must agree to nonaggressive care, with an emphasis on patient comfort. The patient must have a primary care person who can be available as needed anytime.

As mentioned above, Hospice does not practice aggressive care, which means that it can take the patient off treatments. Therefore, it is a very important decision if a family is to decide that their love one should be sent there for the remaining days. Hospice takes care of the patient's mind, body and soul. Thus making the patient feel a little bit easier "towards the end".