Hospice Programs; A Dignified Death In the Middle Ages, hospice was a place where sick or weary travelers would stay while a long journey. Today hospice services are available to people who can no longer benefit from curative treatments. As the health care environment is changing at pace that few could have predicted, hospice is very much part of that change (Stair, 1998). For many years our society and the media has placed an image of death in our heads, of a painful experience, one that is feared by everyone. Although death can be emotionally draining, also can be an uplifting experience. Providing comfort and love and the assurance that life will continue, is truly the biggest gift. Hospices are designated to provide sensitive support for people in the final phase of terminal illness. ). The typical hospice patient has a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice care works to help the patient and family members to carry on an alter, pain-free life to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality at home or in a home-like setting (http:/www.cmcric.org/homecare.html, 2000) Hospice should be viewed as specialty and is focused on palliative care principles. Medical care is geared towards symptoms management, not curative treatment (Homecare and Hospices Resources, 2000). It is focus on living rather than dying, and a way to make the end of life as comfortable and meaningful as possible. The purpose of hospice is not to limit what health care is available to the patient, but enhance their life by controlling symptoms and providing support for everyone involved. Hospice programs offer patients different levels of care and professional services that include; Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain, Medical Director, Bereavement Staff and Therapists. Effective prescription and non-prescription medications are provided to palliate symptoms related to the terminal illness. Medical equipment and supplies are...
