What is hospice?

When a family member or friend is faced with a terminal illness and you are faced with the inevitability of a death of someone close to you, many individuals choose to go home to die in a place that has been a source of comfort. Hospice is a choice that allows dying individuals to be focused on quality of their remaining days rather than the quantity of life they have left. Hospice caregivers are not only often times medical professionals that can give pain relief but also are there to give both the patient and the families emotional and practical support. Hospice volunteers can give some relief to the family simply by taking over for a short period of time and allowing family members to regroup both physically and emotionally.

Hospice care acknowledges that dying is a normal process of life and they are available to provide comfort – not to accelerate or postpone the inevitable. Hospice volunteers are sensitive to the needs of the patient and the family and can assist with any special requirements that the family may have and also recognize the symptoms of grief and can help you through the intiall stages of the grieving process. Hospice patients are not solely cancer patients and hospices are available to any individual that has a limited life expectancy and of any age or illness.

The decision to choose hospice care is a very personal and individual decision. Hospice care volunteers are trained to provide emotional, physical and spiritual support to both the patient and the families of those that have a terminal illness and prefer to spend their remaining days at home.