However, as a healthcare provider, I see it as a gift to those that are walking the final journey of their lives.
Hospice is not a new concept. It has been around for decades. In years past, individuals or family members provided the hospice services in their homes when they could see that their loved one was deteriorating. These home-based caregivers did not rely on medical science to prolong the dying process of their loved one. They made the person comfortable and eased their physical and psychological pain as best they could. This is still the process of hospice care, but today it is delivered by a team of professionals that support and guide the family.
Often people think that hospice is primarily for people with a diagnosis of cancer. A recent study demonstrated that the cause of death of people on hospice was: cancer – 30%, dementia – 15%, heart disease – 13% and lung disease – 10%. While cancer is still the primary diagnosis, multiple other diseases have complicated deteriorating courses and are often best managed with hospice.
Hospice first and foremost is for the quality of life of the chronically ill individual. Treatment continues to be administered to keep the patient comfortable. No heroic measures are taken with hospice because the individual who is ill does not want this therapy anymore. It is difficult for a family to allow the individual on hospice to make limited treatment decisions, but the important element of hospice is to respect the individual and their wishes. As hospice providers, we are facilitators and supporters of the person on their final journey. We take pride in walking this road with them and helping them make this part of their life filled with dignity and peace.
The duration of admission to hospice is usually seen as 6 months of life or less that is left for an individual. This is based on the Medicare regulations and holds across insurance carriers. The individual on hospice may live days, weeks or longer than the six month time frame depending on how the condition that they have manifests itself. When individuals die within hours or even days, it tells us that the hospice admission had been delayed too long. This short tenure of hospice tells us that we have failed in our ethical task of helping our patients be pain free.
Do not be afraid of hospice. It is difficult but it is a beautiful way to help a loved one walk their final steps in life. You are with them and you have a team of professionals to help your loved one and you. Hospice is a gift that continues even after the death of your loved one with grief counseling and support for those left behind.