Hospice care

Hospice care is focused on easing the transition to death. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family by managing pain and other symptoms and providing emotional and spiritual support.

Hospice is specialized medical care that focuses on providing comfort, dignity, and support to individuals and their families who are nearing the end of life. It shares many similarities to palliative care (more HERE), but is intended for individuals with a terminal illness or condition who have a life expectancy of six months or less, if their illness runs its normal course. 

Hospice care services may include:

  • Symptom management: Hospice care teams work to manage the patient's symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and constipation.

  • Emotional and spiritual support: Hospice care teams provide emotional and spiritual support to the patient and their family during the dying process.

  • Bereavement support: Hospice care teams provide support and counseling to the patient's family after the patient's death.

  • Medical equipment and supplies: Hospice care teams provide medical equipment and supplies to the patient, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, and medications.

  • Coordination of care: Hospice care teams coordinate the patient's care with other healthcare providers, such as the patient's primary care physician.

Hospice care can be provided in different settings such as in the patient's home, a hospice facility, or a nursing home but a variety of practitioners. It is covered by the government of Canada, and Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans in the U.S., and a combination of NHS funding and public donation in the UK.

You can see more behind the scenes with popular Youtube and TikTok creator Hospice Nurse Julie.

While covered by many healthcare systems, access and quality of service can vary and unfortunately some providers are profiting off of hospice care. We are happy to see new players such as Guaranteed bring a modern approach to the U.S. and Virtual Hospice in Canada which offers great online resources. This care is incredibly important to end of life and we hope quality hospice care becomes readily available to all.

Resources:

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Death doulas

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The dying process