Hospice care is a unique facility of high-quality, compassionate care for people suffering from incurable illnesses. The concept’s primary goal is to ensure that the patients are comfortable and live their final stages of life to the fullest.
These patients have poor health outcomes and suffer from accompanying symptoms, including pain. Hospice care does not attempt to cure the disease. Instead, it treats the symptoms and improves the quality of life by providing medical, emotional, and spiritual support.
While the concept of hospice care has been around for centuries, it’s only in recent decades that it has gained widespread recognition and acceptance.
This blog aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of hospice care, explaining its history, philosophy, eligibility criteria, focus, elements, services, and assistance to patients and their families.
History of Hospice Care
The concept of hospice care can be traced back to ancient times when hospitality and care for the sick and dying were ingrained in various cultures. However, the modern hospice movement, as we know it today, began in the 20th century. Dame Cicely Saunders, a British physician, founded St. Christopher’s Hospice in London in 1967, emphasising a holistic approach to end-of-life care. Experts often give credit for pioneering the modern hospice movement to Dr. Saunders.
Saunders’ vision of hospice care focused on addressing not just the physical symptoms of illness but also the emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. This philosophy laid the foundation for the comprehensive care model central to modern hospice services.
Philosophy of Hospice Care
Hospice care is guided by a philosophy centred on improving the quality of life for individuals with a terminal illness. Unlike traditional medical treatments focusing on curing diseases, hospice care emphasises comfort and dignity in the final stages of life. The primary goals of hospice care include pain management, emotional support, and helping patients and their families navigate the complexities of the dying process. With personalised care, this approach fosters an environment where patients can live their remaining days with as much comfort, peace, and dignity as possible.
Who is hospice care meant for?
Any patient with terminal illness can receive hospice care, regardless of age, gender, beliefs, and causes. However, elderly persons who have been diagnosed with incurable diseases are the most common seekers.
Diseases that necessitate hospice care include late-stage cancers and kidney, lung, and cardiac disorders. They also have advanced neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
When should it begin?
Hospice care is recommendable when an illness progresses so much that it becomes no longer curable. Doctors certify a patient to receive it if they are:
- Determined to have a life expectancy of fewer than six months.
- Not showing any improvements to the treatment, and the quality of life is declining rapidly.
- Not willing to continue the treatment to prolong the life span.
Where is hospice care provided?
People can receive hospice care in different settings based on their preferences and needs. Most patients prefer to receive care in the comfort of their homes. It offers the most valuable benefit of spending time with their family members. A team of care providers visits them regularly as required and provides the necessary assistance.
Suppose the care at home is not feasible. In that case, it can be provided in dedicated hospice centres, hospitals, or extended care facilities.
What is the aim of hospice care?
Hospice care prioritises pain management and other distressing symptoms to ensure the patients’ comfort at its best.
Patients receive interdisciplinary support from doctors, nurses, social workers, volunteers, and spiritual counsellors.
The staff engages with patients, understands their different needs, and resolves physical discomfort, emotional distress, anxiety, and spiritual dilemmas.
What are the elements of hospice care?
Palliative care
It involves managing symptoms so they are comfortable carrying out their daily activities. Doctors regularly check the patients for signs and symptoms and prescribe new medications or change previous ones.
It also includes identifying and providing feel-at-ease aids, such as walkers, shower chairs, bed railings, and adaptive clothing. If required, caregivers assist them with physical activities, including walking, showering, regular exercises, etc. They make themselves available from morning to evening till the patient goes to bed.
Stress management
Most patients suffer from unbearable stress as they observe drastic changes in their condition. Hospice care professionals engage patients in stress-relieving activities, such as yoga, meditation, massage, and walks.
The caregivers indulge patients in less strenuous fun activities that uplift their moods, such as board games, paintings, and papercrafts.
Emotional support
Hospice professionals impart a compassionate presence and acknowledge the emotions of the patients. They involve the patients in fun conversations, encourage them to express their feelings, listen to their life stories, and make them feel light.
They address emotional needs by promptly observing non-verbal cues to identify emotional distress or mood changes. It allows them to interact with the patients and make them feel heard, understood, and supported.
Spiritual support
Conversations with spiritual counsellors help patients see how meaningful their life has been. The words of wisdom comfort and relax them by resolving existential fears.
Bereavement Support Hospice care extends beyond the patient’s passing, offering bereavement support to the family and loved ones. Grief counselling and resources are provided to help individuals cope with the loss and navigate the grieving process.
How can hospice care help the family of the patient?
The family of the patient who opts for hospice care at home receives all the support and tools necessary to keep their loved ones comfortable. They also receive detailed information and instructions on the disease, medications, and administration.
In emergencies, the family can contact the providers and seek immediate assistance. Further, the family can receive counselling to get through a challenging phase and find the mental and emotional strength to look after their loved ones.
Conclusion:
We have learned about an invaluable facility that allows patients to spend their final days with comfort, peace, and solace. It prevents the burden of regrets for not being able to do anything for their loved ones at the final stage of life.
At Kites, we assist you with various care options for your loved ones in need. Visit kitesseniorcare.com for more details.
