Hospice Philosophical Care
Unlike other medical treatment or critical care, Hospice Philosophical Care is a multitude of services that emphasize comfort and family-centered care. It’s meant for a time when active treatment of disease can no longer cure. Hospice Philosophical Care isn’t so much about dying… It’s about living well with an awareness of approaching death.
The hospice philosophy is to recognize the value of each individual life – to keep the patient involved in important decisions and comfortable enough to find peace, dignity and some measure of joy in each day.
The hospice philosophy is to recognize the value of each individual life – to keep the patient involved in important decisions and comfortable enough to find peace, dignity and some measure of joy in each day.
Hospice supports these goals in several important ways
Pain and Symptom Control
Our Hospice staff is expert in state-of-the-art pain treatments. We work with the physician to help you be comfortable while remaining in control of your life. Side effects are managed to keep you as pain-free as possible, yet alert enough to enjoy the family and friends who surround you.
Family Involvement
Through regularly scheduled family conferences, everyone remains informed about your condition and what to expect in the days ahead. Informal opportunities come up on a daily basis as nurses, aides, and volunteers talk with caregivers during routine visits. Family and friends are encouraged to express their feelings and to learn about death and the process of dying. Through family involvement, hospice care brings great support and relieves emotional stress.
Fostering Social and Emotional Health
Confronting the reality of a life-threatening illness can seriously distract you from really LIVING. Our medical social workers and specially-trained volunteers are focused on providing companionship and emotional support. We can assist with letter-writing or phoning a loved one. We can help with running errands or reading a story. Our grant-a-wish program provides every hospice client with the opportunity to fulfill a special request such as going on a fall color tour or flying in a relative from across country.
Exploring Spirituality
Particular beliefs and practices are never forced on a patient, but the topic of spirituality often comes up as patients and families anticipate the end of life. Hospice staff and volunteers ask open-ended questions that help define your end-of-life wishes through expressions of gratitude, forgiveness, and other unsaid feelings. Hospice can assist the patient with legacies, such as recordings, letters, or personal journals. Clergy and other caregivers are also available to help with funeral planning, religious rites, or spiritual ceremonies. Oftentimes, the most meaningful gift is the offering of silent prayer or a listening ear.
Our Vigil Volunteers...
We are made up of a team of professionals
This team addresses the needs of the client, family and caretakers as a unit. Our entire team meets every two weeks to discuss and review every facet of the patient’s and family’s comfort and care. Medical issues are presented by the doctors, nurses, and aides. The spiritual, social and emotional needs are presented by our clergy, social workers and volunteers.
