What is Hospice Care?
By Jessica Anne Pressler LCSW
I have been blessed and had the privilege to have worked and volunteered as a hospice social worker for more than sixteen years. Patients and their families have allowed me to enter their homes at one of the most difficult and most vulnerable periods of their lives. They put trust in me and our team to care for them and we strived to do our best to make the patient and their loved ones physically comfortable and emotionally and spiritually at peace.
When is someone eligible for hospice care?
Hospice care is available to any person who has a terminal illness and is in the last six months of their life. To obtain this care, your doctor or health care provider must certify that you have a terminal illness and are likely to have six months or less to live if the disease runs its normal course. Your doctor can provide a referral for hospice services, which may be provided in the home, residential facility, hospital, or other location.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care focuses on providing compassionate and supportive care for those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is designed to provide comfort and support to the patient as well as their family, while helping them maintain their quality of life during this difficult time. Hospice professionals are specially trained in palliative and pain management, symptom control, emotional and spiritual support, and bereavement counseling.
Hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings including in hospice facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or even at home. Hospice teams typically include doctors, nurses, medical social workers, aides, chaplains, therapists, counselors, death doulas, physical therapists, music and art therapists and volunteers who are all dedicated to providing comprehensive end-of-life care for patients and their families. These teams work together to manage physical symptoms such as pain management and medications for illness complications like nausea or breathing problems; they also provide emotional and spiritual support during this difficult time. All members of the team are dedicated to providing comprehensive end-of-life care for patients and their families. Overall, hospice teams strive to maintain a sense of comfort, dignity, respect, and quality of life throughout the end-of-life journey for those they serve as well as their families.
What does each member of the hospice interdisciplinary team do?
A hospice nurse provides specialized care for those who are approaching the end of their lives. They assist in pain management, symptom control, and helping individuals maintain a comfortable level of dignity during the dying process. Hospice nurses also provide emotional support, helping families to cope with the difficult decisions that come with a terminal illness. After a doctor makes the referral to the hospice, they are often the one who does the initial assessment and makes recommendations for the team.
A hospice social worker is a healthcare professional who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. They provide counseling and guidance for families as they cope with the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a loved one's death. Hospice social workers can help families make important decisions about end-of-life. They provide counseling, guidance, and resources to help with practical stressors such as financial assistance, insurance needs and funeral information. They also provide emotional comfort and support during this difficult time. They are trained in palliative care, which is an approach to end-of-life care that focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with a terminal illness. This includes providing psychological counseling, addressing anticipated grief, spiritual issues, offering symptom management techniques, helping with advance care planning decisions and connecting patients and families to appropriate community resources, arrange respite care, and discuss DNR. Social workers can also provide bereavement counseling services and bereavement support group referrals after the patient has passed away, for the patient’s loved ones, if needed. Social workers in hospice understand the unique needs of those facing a terminal diagnosis and strive to make their remaining days as comfortable as possible.
A hospice art therapist helps to promote relaxation, comfort, and connection for those facing end-of-life decisions and their families. They work with a variety of art strategies.
A hospice aide is a healthcare professional who assists people who are near the end of their lives. The aide helps to make the patient comfortable, provide personal care with dignity; such as showering or sponge baths, help with daily tasks; such as dressing, food preparation, toileting and movement, companionship, and emotional and physical support.
A hospice volunteer provides companionship and emotional support to individuals who have a terminal illness, as well as their families. They may also offer practical assistance such as running errands, providing transportation, or helping with light housekeeping. Hospice volunteers are not trained medical personnel; however, they help create a more comfortable environment for those facing death. They may also provide grief support for the bereaved loved ones when patient died by calls and visits.
A hospice chaplain is a trained professional who provides spiritual support and companionship to those facing end-of-life decisions and their families. They offer guidance in dealing with the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying and can assist with religious or cultural needs such as making funeral arrangements. Hospice chaplains also help families and friends cope with grief after a loved one passes away.
The patient’s doctor will work with the team or the medical director who is part of the team, will provide medical care and support to those who are facing the end of life. They offer palliative care, which helps to manage pain and symptoms related to a terminal illness such as orders for medication or consulted when medical issues arise. Hospice doctors also provide emotional support for patients and their families by helping them process difficult decisions and feelings surrounding the end of life.
A hospice music therapist helps to promote relaxation, comfort, and connection for those facing end-of-life decisions and their families. They work with a variety of musical strategies to create an atmosphere of serenity and healing. Music therapy may include the use of singing, playing instruments, songwriting, discussion, or improvisation.
A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula, is a person who provides emotional and physical support to people who are facing the end of their lives. This type of care is designed to provide comfort and guidance throughout the process and help those dealing with terminal conditions to make peace with their situation. Death doulas are holistic in their approach, focusing on spiritual, emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of the dying process. They may offer activities such as guided meditations or deep breathing exercises for stress relief; provide suggestions regarding ways to make life more meaningful; discuss any fears or worries about death; assist in creating a bucket list of wishes before one passes away; facilitate dialogues with family members and friends; arrange for medical care when needed; or even simply hold space for someone who is at the end of their life's journey. Death doulas can also be an incredibly important resource for those left behind after a loved one has passed away, offering bereavement counseling, and providing support during difficult times.
A hospice grief counselor is a trained professional or trained volunteer who provides emotional and spiritual support to those who have lost a loved one. The counselor helps with the grieving process by helping to identify and process emotions, understanding the stages of grief, and providing coping skills. They may also provide spiritual guidance by encouraging individuals to find meaning in the death of their loved one.
In addition to hospice services provided by healthcare professionals there are also many resources available to help patients and their families cope with the physical, emotional, spiritual challenges of end-of-life care. This includes support groups for caregivers and the bereaved, offered by both hospices or other organizations in the community; online resources such as websites with advice on dealing with grief; books about coping with death; or even professional counseling services that can help individuals process their emotions around death. Many organizations offer financial assistance for hospice services too allowing those who may not otherwise be able to access these important services get the support they need during this difficult time in life.
Online bereavement support groups are a valuable source of emotional and practical support to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. In addition to providing members with an outlet for their emotions, these groups often provide helpful advice on topics such as coping with grief, managing stress, making decisions about memorial services, and more. Led by experienced professionals such as counselors or therapists, these groups offer a safe space where members can share stories, ask questions, and find understanding from others who have gone through similar experiences. Many organizations offer online resources as well, including contact information for bereavement support groups that meet in person or virtually. For those seeking additional assistance and guidance, connecting with professional counselors or therapists is always recommended for personalized care.
Resources for hospice support
1. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO): Phone: 800.658.8898 | Website: www.nhpco.org
2. American Cancer Society's Hospice Program: Phone: 800-227-2345 | Website: www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-andservices/hospicecare
3. Veterans Health Administration Hospice Programs and Services: Phone: 877 333 4479 | Website: https://www.va.gov/geriatricsandrehabilitation/longtermcare/hospiceservices/
4. The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center - Hospice Program :Phone : 812281 7791|Website : https://kroccenterindy.org
5. The Conversation Project: https://theconversationproject.org/
6. Coalition for Compassionate Care of California: http://www.coalitionccc.org/
7. My Life, My Choices: http://mylifemychoiceskentuckyinitiativeinc..com/
8. Two Worlds: A Guide to Living Well at the End of Life :http://twoworlds-guide .ca /
9. Partnership for Caring – Resources for Patients and Families :https:/ / www .partnershipforcaring . org / resources – families
10. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: https://www.nhpco.org/; Phone: +1 703-837-1500
11. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services: https://www.medicaid.gov/hospice; Phone: 800–633–4227
12. Caring Connections: http://www.caringinfo.org/ ; Toll free phone number available during normal business hours (M – F 8 am to 5 pm EST) at 1–800–658–8898
13. Pathways Home Health and Hospice: https://pathwayshealth.org/; Phone Number : 866 692 4759
14. Visiting Nurse Association of America (VNAA): https://vnaa.org/ ; Tel.: 202-544-7522
Hospice care can provide an invaluable source of comfort during an incredibly difficult period in one’s life. It is important to remember that you do not have to go through it alone – talk to your doctor about whether hospice services may be right for you or your loved one so that you have access to all possible options when it comes to end-of-life plans.
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