ARTICLE SUMMARY

“Hi, my name is Lindsay, I am the hospice nurse.  I have gotten to know many patients and I am looking forward to knowing you more.  What can I do for you today?”.  With these words a hospice nurse has let you know two things:  1. They have experience, 2. They are truly concerned about you.

What is a good hospice company:

• The hospice nurse is not only physically present, but emotionally and spiritually present as well to you and your dying loved one.  
• Will listen to you and always speak the truth.  
• Kindness, helpfulness, and a caring heart will be evident from the first visit
• Patient involvement and your involvement will be requested
• They will listen to your questions and respond to your concerns.  

They will rely on you to help with the care, and not exclude you.  Treatment choices will be explained, and options considered.  

When you and your loved one are fully informed of treatment choices, and are involved in the treatment plan, then the care of your loved one will be what you desire.

What makes a GOOD hospice company GOOD

FULL ARTICLE

“Hi, my name is Lindsay, I am the hospice nurse.  I have gotten to know many patients and I am looking forward to knowing you more.  What can I do for you today?”.  With these words a hospice nurse has let you know to things:  1. They have experience, and 2. They are truly concerned about your well being.

Presence is the key to good hospice care.  The hospice nurse is not only physically present, but emotionally and spiritually present as well for both you and your dying loved one.  The good nurse will listen to you and always speak the truth.  Kindness, helpfulness, and a caring heart will be evident form the first visit they make to your home.  When you see that, you know you have a good hospice company.

Most hospice companies are good.  Although hospice is a business, and businesses make money, usually there is a greater “heart” element, a greater caring for humanity in the hospice business than any other business, that heart is frequently called the “heart of hospice”.  It is reflective of the emotional bond that grows between the hospice staff and your loved one facing his or her death.  The bond is the bond of two strangers, thrown together on a guest, but with a common goal.  It is the bonding of one heart to another.

Patient involvement and your involvement will be requested by a good hospice agency.  They will explain all options of care, will listen to your questions and respond to your concerns.  They will rely on you to help with the care, and not exclude you.  Treatment choices will be explained, and all options considered.  When you and your loved one are fully informed of treatment choices, and not denied choices, cared for by a true hospice worker, and involved in the treatment plan, then the care of your loved one will be what you desire.