| What is Hospice |
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ARTICLE SUMMARY Wendy’s cries of anguish pierced her husband Bob. At 6’5 and 300 pounds, Bob was a moving sight – a giant man, broken with grief as his wife lay dying. Why does she have to suffer so much? After a call to a local hospice company, the nurse was dispatched and pain medication was ordered. When the pharmacy showed up at Bob’s house he greeted them at the door, eyes shallow, dark circles all around them. The medication was give, and 30 minutes later Wendy was sleeping comfortably. Walking the staff to the door Bob hugged them and said “I don’t know how to thank you – I have my wife back”. What is Hospice and Hospice care?
Any person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness may be eligible for hospice services. It is up to the hospice company to be sure that the patient qualifies for hospice care. What is Hospice and Hospice care? FULL ARTICLE Wendy’s cries of anguish pierced her husband Bob. At 6’5 and 300 pounds, Bob was a moving sight – a giant man, broken with grief, as his wife lay dying. Why does she have to suffer so much? After a call to a local hospice company, the nurse was dispatched and pain medication was ordered. When the pharmacy showed up at Bob’s house he greeted them at the door, eyes shallow, dark circles all around them. The medication was give, and 30 minutes later Wendy was sleeping comfortably. Walking the staff to the door Bob hugged them – what a hug it was! – and said “I don’t know how to thank you – I have my wife back”. Hospice companies provide nursing care, home health aide services, chaplain and social services to the terminally ill. Hospice care providers also supply and pay for all drugs, medical equipment, and medical supplies necessary for the treatment of the terminal diagnosis. Comfort is the goal of true hospice care. When pain, suffering and despair are present they cannot be comfortable at the end of life. Hospice care creates an environment for the patient and family where pain is controlled, and symptoms are managed. Freeing the patient from pain, loneliness and despair allows the end of life to become more meaningful. Families and their loved ones are given time to say their goodbyes, to seek forgiveness and to forgive those who have hurt them. That is the true meaning of hospice care. Hospice should neither hasten nor delayed death. Doctors take the Hippocratic oath, which states do no harm to your patient. This same rule applies to hospice. Any person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness be eligible for hospice services. To become eligible, a patient must have a statement signed by a by two doctors that states they are terminally ill. This statement, called a certification statement, becomes the primary billing document for hospice companies. It is up to the hospice company or hospice agency to be sure that the patient qualifies for hospice care. |