by Valerie Johnson

Created on: December 09, 2010

Hospice as it is known today got its start in the mid 1960s in England by a physician known as Dame Cicely Saunders who piloted the whole concept of specialized care for dying patients.  The word hospice, in medieval times, meant hospitality for travelers who were weary.  Those who are dying, and their families, are on a journey and may need assistance to make the journey a peaceful one.

Hospice today means caring for a patient who is in the end stages of a disease or illness, who has exhausted all medical efforts for treating their disease and is now looking for help in treating their symptoms and preparing for end of life.  This can be a frantic, confusing time that can leave family members at odds with each other and the patient’s experience anything but peaceful.

Hospice care encompasses much more than taking care of a dying patient.  Hospice uses a team approach to meet the needs of not only the patient but also their family and/or friends.  A hospice team is comprised of a hospice physician who oversees the hospice care of the patient.  The hospice physician can become the primary physician for the patient if the patient and his/her doctor request it. 

Another team member is the RN.  It is the responsibility of the RN to assess each patient and determine what his needs are; the RN communicates with other team members to ensure every aspect of the patient’s care is met.  A CNA, certified nursing assistant, is another member of the team.  Not every patient needs the services a CNA provides but the CNA can assist the patient with personal care such as bathing and dressing.  The CNA also changes the linen on the patient’s bed and assists in cleaning the immediate care area and CNA’s may also assist in feeding the patients.

A social worker and chaplain are two vital members of the hospice team.   Many times the patient and family are unprepared for the end of life.  The social worker can assist the patient and family with end of life documents and arrangements as well as provide grief counseling before and after death for the family.  The chaplain assists the patient and family with any spiritual matters they may have regardless of their religious preference.  Hospice chaplains have a great relationship with members of the spiritual community across all faiths to ensure every need is met.

A hospice also utilizes the time and talents of volunteers. 

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