by Donna Carroll Batton

Created on: October 25, 2009

The term Hospice Care conjures up thoughts of death and dying. And it is true that Hospice will accept a case when a person is considered to be in their last six months of life. However, sometimes a person in Hospice care does make a recovery in which case Hospice will simply and happily close the case.

While most people have heard of the wonderful organization of Hospice, a lot of people aren't exactly sure what Hospice does and if and when they should be called. Here are a few important facts about Hospice.

The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care provides comfort and expert care to end-of-life patients, their families and their caregivers. Hospice has a dedicated, highly trained staff of doctors, nurses, social workers and administrative workers who work together to provide excellent care for both the patient and his/her family and caregivers.

Hospice care is provided in a patient's home, hospital, nursing home, adult care homes and nursing facilities and also in in-patient Hospice campuses. Hospice trains family members and caregivers to provide care for the patient along with scheduled team visits. A Hospice team consists of a team manager, a nurse, a social worker and a chaplain. Hospice also has doctors who visit the patient and oversee his/her care.

When a family member or caregiver calls Hospice concerning care for a patient an intake worker will come at a scheduled time to discuss a plan of care. This is a rather lengthy interview and the intake worker will answer any and all of your questions. She will assign a Hospice team to your case and give you a magnet for the refrigerator listing the names of team members and the phone numbers to reach them.

Hospice doctors and nurses are especially trained in pain and symptom management, which will help the patient maintain a comfort level during illness. Home Health Aides are provided to address a patient's personal care issues, such as bathing, shaving, shampoos, changing bed linens and other help the caregiver may request.

Social workers will aid families and caregivers with emotional, financial and legal advice and support. They will help link the patient to other services he/she may need, such as providing oxygen.

A chaplain is assigned to the team to provide spiritual support to all involved in the patient's care.

Hospice has its own pharmacy and medicine is delivered as needed, night and day. Prescription medicine, equipment such as oxygen, wheelchairs, and medical supplies are

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