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Hospice is a philosophy of care for an individual who is choosing non-aggressive treatment or comfort care. The word “hospice” is derived from the middle ages describing shelters where weary travelers could stop and refresh themselves. In 1967 Dr. Cicely Saunders first applied the word to specialty care for dying patients. The program was called St. Christopher’s Hospice, in London.

A hospice program is designed to prove an alternative to aggressive treatment or prolonged hospital care. Hospice emphasizes pain management and symptom control rather than treatment which would only prolong or delay death.

There are different types of hospice programs available in the community. The following describes the some of the available programs of the service.

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Hospice Services

A wide range of services are provided by nurses and iher health care providers within the hospice program.
These services include:

• Nursing Care
• Social Worker Services
• Physician Services
• Spiritual Support and Counseling
• Home Health Aide and Homemaker Services
• Therapies
• Continuous Care in the Home
• Trained Volunteers for Support Services
• 24-Hour On-Call Availability
• Hospice In-Patient Care
• Respite Care
• Bereavement Support
• Medical Equipment
• Supplies and Prescription Drugs related to the life limiting illness.

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Hospice PaymentHospice services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as being offered as a part of most traditional insurance plans.

For further information on hospice services, contact one of your local hospices or write to the Hospice Association of America, 228 Seventh Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003 or National Hospice Organization, 1901 N. Moore St., Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209