Three Things You Thought You Knew About Hospice
Hospice is often and unfortunately misrepresented to the
general public. Often seen as the people who “come at the very end” or when
someone is “giving up”, hospice is very much the opposite.
1. Did you know hospice services can be
utilized for up to 6 months?
According to the National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization’s NHPCO’s Facts and Figures on Hospice, “The median length of service
in 2012 was 18.7 days. This means that half of hospice patients received care
for less than three weeks. The average length of service increased from 69.1
days in 2011 to 71.8 in 2012.” These statistics tell us that a large percentage
of patients are not receiving the full benefits of hospice care. Although we
are seeing a slight increase in the average length of service, why don’t we see
more people utilizing the hospice benefit longer? Some could be attributed to
disease criteria, acceptance, or access to care. If patients, however, had 6
months to fully reflect and experience their end-of-life journey, maybe more
people would have the opportunity to die their way: with dignity and grace.
2. Choosing quality of life does not mean
giving up.
When people elect their hospice benefit, it
definitely doesn’t mean they are “giving up”. It can be hard for family to see
that. Their mind says, “Treatment means
fighting for life”. Consider weighing the pain, suffering, and symptoms that
may be associated with treatment. Choosing to forego curative treatments could
alleviate certain stressors, symptoms and expenses. This is different than
giving up. This is simply choosing quality of life, which take tremendous
courage. Celebrate that decision and celebrate the time there is left with
loved ones, while feeling as good as possible.
3. Dying can be peaceful and graceful.
Death is very sad to accept and discuss. It
is, however, unavoidable that we will all die. It is difficult to accept and
reflect on this time and plan for a peaceful and graceful journey. Further, it
is definitely not easy to understand how dying can be peaceful and graceful,
but it is possible. Hospice of Southern Illinois can make it easier to
understand, especially the longer the service is utilized. Nurses and hospice aides
can address the physical/medical needs of patients; the counseling team can
address emotional and spiritual wishes of the patient and family; and
volunteers can provide companionship and relief of caregiving to let the family
focus on being a family during the important time that is left. All members of
the team are instrumental in assisting the patient and their family to honor
the goals of care until the end of their journey. When the goals of care are
honored, dying then becomes more peaceful and graceful.
Not all Hospices are the same. Ask for Hospice of Southern Illinois by name.
Learn about Hospice of Southern Illinois, getting hospice services, and having your questions answered. Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 800-233-1708 or visit our website for more information, www. hospice.org.
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