She died at 9:43 PM in a hospital bed in 1962. Visiting hours had ended, and the family had been shooed from her room more than an hour earlier. The grandchildren never got to say goodbye. The telephone, bearer of bad news, was ringing when they got home.
These days, the availability of hospice care might have made a death from bladder cancer much easier to handle for the patient and the family. According to the American Cancer Society, the benefits of hospice care all derive from the fact that it’s a philosophy of care that focuses on a person, not his disease or condition.
The major benefits include:
Coordinated team approach
A hospice team consists of professionals in multiple specialties. Its goal is to focus on the patient 24/7 and to take into consideration the wishes and ideas of any family members as the end of life approaches. The patient’s home is the most frequent setting in the United States. However, whether it’s the home, a hospital or a private hospice facility, care is centralized and coordinated by the team.
The team usually consists of specialists such as doctors, psychotherapists, physical therapists, social workers, patient advocates, clergy, nurses and volunteers. Some professionals consider this interdisciplinary approach the most important benefit of hospice care.
Round-the-clock availability
One of the most important things a hospice team does is make sure the patient has care 24 hours a day. The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that while not all hospice programs provide the same services, they go way beyond pain management and other comfort issues. They might include psychological counseling, help with personal care such as bathing and getting dressed and assistance with everyday needs like running errands and preparing meals.
Choices
One of the great fears of terminally ill patients is losing control over what happens to them. Utilizing a hospice program allows the patient and any family members to voice their opinions and become involved in treatment and logistical options.
Most programs include regularly scheduled family conferences typically led by a hospice nurse or social worker. Frequent updates and the opportunity to make choices are a major benefit to hospice care because they relieve huge amounts of stress.
Respite care
For patients who choose hospice care at home, the primary caregiver is normally a family member or friend. This individual receives training from a hospice nurse to correctly perform hands-on care.
Eventually, caregivers need time away. Respite care is available, often up to five days at a stretch. When a hospital or private facility is the setting, the staff sets aside beds to care for the family if anyone wishes to stay overnight.
Bereavement counseling
Hospice care programs include a time for mourning after the end of a life. The hospice team works with survivors as they go through the process of grieving. Trained volunteers, clergy and professional counselors support survivors with visits, telephone calls and/or letters.
The team also provides referrals as necessary for medical and professional care. Bereavement services normally last about a year after the loss.
Resources
One of the best all-around resources on the benefits of hospice care is Hospicenet. In addition to providing an excellent overview of hospice services, the site contains links for finding a local hospice and questions patients and family member should ask when considering hospice care. Its more than 50 links are useful to patients, children, caregivers and anyone going through the bereavement process after losing a loved one due to an extended illness.
The final decision on whether to use hospice care should always involve discussing the options with the patient’s primary physician.
Sources:
American Cancer Society site
Journal of the American Medical Association PDF
Hospicenet site
Reference:
- American Cancer Society site
- Journal of the American Medical Association PDF
- Hospicenet site
