Hospice Care:

• emphasizes the quality of life in the remaining days, weeks or months
• focuses on the person, not the disease, and also cares for the family
• provides relief from the physical, emotional and spiritual pain that often
• accompanies a terminal illness
• provides grief support for surviving loved ones

The hospice program:

• provides comfort care, including medications and therapies to relieve pain and symptoms.
• is available 24 hours a day to answer questions and give support.
• offers emotional support, counseling and spiritual support.
• teaches specific care techniques, such as turning, positioning & transferring out of bed, bathing & giving medications.
• arranges for necessary equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen, bedside commode and wheelchair.
• coordinates any additional help and services needed in the home.
• provides information about alternative settings, such as nursing homes or residential hospices.
• offers grief support services, which may include letters, telephone and personal contact, counseling, as well as opportunities to share experiences in organized support groups.

Palliative Care Program.

Palliative Care offers a holistic approach to home care patients with advanced illness and a life expectancy that can be up to two years. Under Palliative Care, a patient is continually assessed, with treatment options explored and evaluated according to the person’s symptoms and wishes.

• The goals of palliative care are:

• - Relieve pain and reduce distressing symptoms

  - Explain the disease process and treatment options

  - Increase patient comfort and family satisfaction

  - Assist patient and family in making informed decisions regarding treatment