Hospice care is so complex, but so simple all in the
same. All hospices are regulated by Medicare Guidelines to provide a certain
level of care. Yet each hospice provides individualized care based on the
patients’ end-of-life wishes. For this reason, there are many components that
make up hospice care. These complex components all work together to make
hospice care simple. How can that be? Describing hospice care as a full circle
helps paint the picture of how it all works.
Medical directors, physicians, registered nurses,
hospice aides, social workers, bereavement counselors, and volunteers make up
the outer ring of the circle. The outer ring builds the foundation for
the support and care involved with hospice. The simplicity lies in the center
of the circle, the hospice patient. All support and care provided is focused
around the needs and wants of the patient at the end of life. Surrounding the
patient are the family and friends who make the wishes known and supports the
patient through the physical, emotional and spiritual needs through the end-of-life
journey.
The end-of-life journey can bring changes in the
patient’s physical or emotional condition, patient and family concern, changes
in medication, changes in emotional or spiritual needs, or need for medical
equipment and supplies. These changes are why hospice care is so important. The
hospice team works together to meet these needs. Further, hospice care and the
hospice team have the expertise about what to expect at the end of life.
Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Team has compassion for an individual’s dignity,
and the experience of working with others who are going through the same
things. Hospice services are so unique because they can provide all of these
benefits with the help of so many, to those who need it when they are ready,
patients and families at the end of life. This is why hospice care is complex,
but simple all in the same: unique with so many parts, but simply for patients
who need the individualized hospice care.
Help us share, educate, and reach
out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our
message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is
here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for
you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone.
Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.
Live well, laugh often, and love much,
Christine Juehne
Hospice of Southern Illinois
Community Education
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org
