By Peg Cochran, Holland Home

One of the statements hospice workers hear most often is “I wish I’d called hospice sooner”. What is hospice care and when should I seek it out?

What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a set of specialized services to help patients and their loved ones cope with advanced or terminal illness. The focus of hospice care is on improving the patient’s and families’ quality of life though a specialized team which can include doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, spiritual care providers and other professionals like nutritionists and therapists. Hospice care can provide support and comfort for both patients and families.

Benefits to the Patient
It’s easier to face changes in life when you are prepared. Bringing hospice on board early in the process of a long-term illness means you won’t be scrambling to get services when you reach a crisis and you’ll be able to take advantage of all the support hospice care offers.

“Starting hospice early offers the patient better quality of life, especially since their pain and problematic symptoms can be brought under control. Some hospice patients still drive and still go to work,” says Rene Wheaton, administrator of Faith Hospice. “When they reach a point where they need us, we’re already there to help.”

Benefits to Caregivers
Hospice offers benefits to caregivers as well. Caregivers can become burned out, particularly If the patient has waited too long to sign on to hospice care. Hospice staff can provide help.

• Hospice staff can educate the caregiver, as well as answer questions that may come up — for example, can the patient be safely left alone or can they still drive?
• Hospice nurses and aides monitor and recognize changes in the patient’s condition that may not be obvious to the caregiver.
• Hospice staff includes trained volunteers able to provide short-term respite for caregivers.

Hospice Support
Hospice brings an entire team of professionals and volunteers ready to provide help and support.

• Medical professionals, including doctors who are board certified in hospice and palliative care, as well as nurses trained in hospice care. The medical team is experienced in pain control and symptom relief.
• Chaplains are available to provide spiritual support to the patient and their family, if desired.
• Social workers can help with the practical and emotional needs of the patient and their family.
• Through hospice, aides can come to your home to help with personal care.

“There are so many benefits to bringing in hospice as soon as a patient has received a life-limiting diagnosis,” said Wheaton. “The services provided can greatly increase quality of life for both the patient and their family. We have even had people go off hospice because they have improved so much, often because they were able to leave the hospital and return home to familiar surroundings and loving family members.”