Hospice Care

This has become an important part of many Long-Term Care policies as many of the same forces that cause more people to require long-term care services and supports are also impacting their end-of-life.

Hospice is short-term, supportive care for the terminally ill which focuses on pain management, emotional, physical, and spiritual support for the patient and family. It can be provided at home, in a hospital, nursing home, or a hospice facility.

This is a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation (meaning it makes the individual feel better, despite the fact the care will not cure the person). Those individuals who are chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms are very difficult on them and their families. Hospice is intended to ease the suffering for the person and their loved ones. Hospice also attends to their emotional and spiritual needs where general health services generally will not address these concerns.