Hospice

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a type of health care focused on providing comfort and support to individuals with serious illnesses who are nearing the end of their lives. It aims to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

The term hospice is frequently misunderstood and is equated in many persons minds with imminent death. On the contrary, hospice care focuses on quality of life, on the wishes of the patient and family, and on easing distress at the end of life and the months preceding death.

Confluence Health Hospice offers a comprehensive program that honors the unique needs of every individual based on what is most important to them. Our staff have obtained certification and specialty training in hospice and palliative care to deliver the highest quality care to those we serve.

Hospice care is delivered by a team approach and includes:

• Medical Care: Focused on pain and symptom management rather than curative treatment. This can include visits from hospice doctors and regular visits from hospice nurses.
• Personal Care: Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, provided by hospice aides.
• Emotional and Spiritual Support: Counseling and support from social workers and hospice chaplains for both the patient and family.
• Therapy Services: Physical and occupational therapy to help maintain quality of life.
• Medical Equipment and Supplies: Provision of necessary medical equipment like hospital beds, wheelchairs, and medications related to the terminal illness.
• Respite Care: Temporary relief for primary caregivers for up to five days, allowing them to rest while the patient is cared for in a hospice facility.
• General Inpatient Care: The goal of hospice is to support symptoms and care needs at home but sometimes symptoms are difficult to manage at home. General inpatient care allows hospice to continue but, in the hospital setting until symptoms are managed well enough to return home.
• Bereavement Support: Grief counseling and support for family members after the patient's passing.
• Volunteer Support: Our volunteers do not provide direct patient care but can provide respite for caregivers, assistance with errands, and companionship.
• After-Hours Support: Triage nurses are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Helpful Links

• Medicare.gov: Find and compare hospice providers near you.
  
• Confluence Health Foundation: Your gift to Confluence Health Foundation is a perfect way to honor a family member, friend or mentor or to express your gratitude for the exceptional care a loved one received at Confluence Health.