Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Hospice care has been around since 1948 and was founded by Dame Cicely Sanders. It began as a shelter for all weary and ill travelers. Since then hospice care has been revolutionized to help patients and families process end-of-life care. Hospice is a specialized facility that provides medical support and assists in the care of the terminally ill. The focus of hospice is to care for, not cure the patient.
Hospice services are unique to each patient and may be provided in multiple settings, such as: hospice centers, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and even the patients home. Services are available to patients of any age, religion, race or illness. Hospice care is covered under most private insurances, Medicare and Medicaid.
The process of Hospice care starts with a family member becoming a primary caregiver to help the patient and make the appropriate decisions with the best of interest of the patient in mind. The staff is fully accessible to the patient and provides care and other services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The family and hospice team develop a plan that is specific to the patients’ needs for pain management and symptom control.
Services that a hospice care provides, consist of:
Pain and symptom management of the patient
Assistance with the patients emotional, psychosocial and spiritual needs
Medical support
Facilitating medical supplies, equipment and drugs
Coaching for the family and how to care for the patient
Bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends
BSA Hospice of the Southwest is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to all patients and their families. We provide a multitude of services to deliver a unique experience to all patients. We are always sure to care for the family and caregivers during and even after the patient has passed. Our mission is to make an impact on the lives our patient, their families and the community by delivering quality hospice care with compassion and experience.