Many have heard of Hospice care, but may not have an understanding of what this care actually is. For this reason we offer the following brief explanation of this type of care and encourage you to visit http://www.hospicefoundation.org/ for more information.

Hospice care provides comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. It neither prolongs life nor hastens death – in simple terms Hospice care is designed to improve the quality of a patient’s life during their last days with comfort and dignity.

Staff and volunteers who offer a specialized knowledge of medical care and pain management provide hospice care. Care is provided by a team-oriented group of these specially trained professionals.

Hospice care addresses all symptoms of a disease with an emphasis on controlling a patient’s pain and discomfort. Care also importantly deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impacts of the disease with the patient, family and friends.

It is important that families know Hospice care can help to relieve stress and the burden of care by a patient’s family – and helps them to understand what they can expect as the patient moves through the end-of-life process.