What is Hospice Palliative care?
Hospice palliative care provides physical, psychological,
social, spiritual and practical support to people living with a
life-threatening illness and to their loved ones. The terms
hospice care and palliative care are both used to refer to the
same thing which is a specific approach to care. However, some
people use hospice care to describe care that is offered in the
community as free-standing or volunteer based programs, rather
than in hospitals. In 2002 the term Hospice Palliative Care was
coined to recognize the blending of both models of care. Nelson
& District Hospice Society is a member of The
BC Hospice Palliative Care Association and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.
When should a decision about
requesting hospice support be made?
At any time during a life-limiting illness, it's appropriate
to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice.
Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of
stopping aggressive efforts to "beat" the disease. Hospice staff
and volunteers work closely with medical professionals including
community home nursing, doctors, pharmacists and others to ensure
that the best comfort measures are in place to maintain dignity
and choice for the patient and their family.
Where is hospice palliative
care provided?
Hospice palliative care is can be provided in the hospital,
care facilities or in the patient's home. It is not unusual
for service to begin in the home and then transfer to the hospital
or care facility depending on the level of care required.
Should I wait for our physician
to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice
care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals,
clergy or friends. Nelson & District Hospice is not a
building but staff and volunteers provide service in the patients
home, the hospital, or care facilities.
What if our physician doesn't
know about hospice?
Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician
wants more information about hospice, it is available from all
three offices of Nelson & District Hospice Society as well as the BC Hospice
Palliative Care Association .
Is there any special equipment
or changes I have to make in my home before hospice palliative
care begins?
Community home nurses typically assess what equipment
would be most appropriate in your home although hospice often makes
requisitions for hospital beds, commodes, wheel chairs and other
items that make care easier. Most equipment is available
for loan at minimal or no cost.
How many family members or friends
does it take to care for a patient at home?
There's no set number. One of the first things a hospice
palliative care team will do is to prepare an individualized care
plan that will, among other things, address the amount of caregiving
needed by the patient. Hospice works closely with home nursing,
community health care workers, family and friends to provide the
most comprehensive care possible.
Must someone be with the patient
at all times?
In the early weeks of care, it's usually not necessary
for someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however,
since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying
alone, most families want someone be there continuously for companionship
and safety. While family and friends do deliver most of the care,
hospices volunteers can assist with errands and to provide a break
and time away for primary caregivers. .
How difficult is caring for
a dying loved one at home?
It's never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the
end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very
long, lonely and scary. Hospice can also provide trained volunteers
to provide "respite care," to give family members a break and/or
provide companionship to the patient including overnight vigils.
What specific assistance does hospice
palliative care provide home-based patients?
Hospice palliative care patients are cared for by a team
of physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, clergy, therapists,
and volunteers. Each provides assistance based on his or her
own area of expertise. Because of the rural nature of Nelson
& District Hospice Society, service may vary depending on the
location.
Does hospice do anything to make death
come sooner?
Hospice neither hastens nor postpones dying. Just as doctors
and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of child
birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge
during the dying process.
Where is most of hospice palliative care
delivered?
Hospice palliative care is provided in the home where
possible, in hospital settings and in care facilities. Often
care begins at home and then is transferred to hospital or care
facility in order to provide for difficult symptom control.
How successful is hospice palliative
care in battling pain?
Using some combination of medications,
counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort
that is acceptable to them. New treatments and medications
are constantly being developed as more is learned about end of
life care.
Will medications prevent the patient
from being able to talk or know what's happening?
Usually not. It is the goal of hospice palliative care
to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible. By constantly
consulting with the patient, doctors and nurses have been very
successful in reaching this goal.
Does hospice provide any help to the
family after the patient dies?
Nelson & District Hospice Society provides continuing
contact and support for caregivers for at least a year following
the death of a loved one. We also sponsor bereavement groups
and support for anyone in the community who has experienced a death
of a family member, a friend, or similar losses.
Are there provincial or national hospice
palliative care associations?
The
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is the
national association, which provides leadership in hospice palliative
care in Canada. CHPCA offers leadership in the pursuit of
excellence in care for approaching death so that the burdens of
suffering, loneliness and grief are lessened.
Why should we talk about death?
Death has been remote, hidden away in the back rooms of
hospitals. There is a taboo about talking of death even though
it is a normal part of life. Everything that lives dies. Family and friends must be aware that dying persons
have special needs that can be met.
The BC
Hospice Palliative Care Association is the provincial body
that provides leadership, advocacy, support and resources to
the many local hospice organizations around the province.
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