Hospice Care - It's all about Soulful Patient-Centric Care

A True Story 

Don Buska was an 86-year-old veteran of World War II, and in the final stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which makes it hard to breathe. Don had an interest in honor of flight before he dies and to ensure he has an amicable flight, team members made an arrangement of respiratory therapist ahead of time who went on flight to help manage the veteran on oxygen. Thanks to the support of hospice, Don had the time of his life. Just hours later to his dream flight, he died with the support of Hospice Team.

Hospice Care make more meaningful moments and dreams possible for the patients around the world. So if you want to join the bandwagon of these soulful care specialists, read below -  

Overview of Hospice Care

Hospice Care is a different type of medical care than any standard curative care as here the treatment is not for curing or ensuring prolonged life rather it is a decision or a choice made by patients and their family members to end the life of patient within six months who have been diagnosed with serious diseases such as Cancer, Aids etc. In case of such serious illness, cure ceases to be an option and focus is on caring. Hospice care is more of a team-oriented approach wherein emphasize is on pain management, giving emotional and spiritual support customized to the patients’ needs and case.

How does Hospice Care Work?

In Hospice Care, in majority of the cases, one family member serves as the primary care giver and takes decision on behalf of the terminally ill patient. As per the NHPCO, 2012, Majority of hospice patients are either adults or older with more than 80% being crossed the age of 65. In a hospice case, hospice team is available to serve patient, seven days a week and available to assist on call 24 hours.

To ensure, expert medical care for every patient a tailored care plan is developed to meet each patient's individual needs and deal in the best possible way with pain management and system control. 

A Hospice Care Team Consists of -

• Patient's personal physician
• Hospice Physician
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapists (depending upon each case)
• Home health aides
• Trained volunteers (if any)

Duties and Responsibilities of a Hospice Team

• Giving required drugs, equipment and other medical supplies to the patients
• Giving overall emotional and psychological support to patient and help him deal with spiritual aspects of dying
• Counseling family members on how they can care for the patient
• Deliver special services like physical therapy as and when required
• Provide counseling and bereavement care to surviving family, friends

To succeed in the field of Hospice Care, compassion is the most essential skill required as you will have to deal with delicate matters and emotional situation regularly and to handle it in a compassionate manner.