Why Consider Hospice?

When a person is facing a terminal illness, and medical treatments can no longer cure or improve the course of a disease, hospice offers physical and emotional care based on individual choice, dignity, and compassion. Choosing hospice can be a difficult decision, but that decision can be less distressing if caregivers can realize that hospice care provides hope of an improved quality of life and incredible family support.

Hamilton Hospice Makes Each Day Count

Medical treatment often continues long after it is effective or desired by the patient. Why? Sometimes, patients and families may feel that if they don’t do “everything” they have given up hope or cut life short. Hospice is not “less care”. It is a shift in the FOCUS of care. By aggressively managing uncomfortable symptoms or worsening distress, and providing a constant source of support to families, Hospice assists patients and caregivers to spend more quality time with each other.

Signs That You May Want to Consider Hospice

• You want to treat the pain or other symptoms and not the disease.
• You no longer want invasive hospital testing or medical treatments.
• You have been told that further treatment will not improve the prognosis for your disease.
• You experience repeated medical setbacks and hospitalizations.
• You require more assistance for your most basic needs.
• You have an increase in pain, nausea, and/or breathing distress.
• You sleep more and are emotionally withdrawn.
• You have a significant decrease in appetite and weight loss.

Unique Support

Hospice care is a team approach that focuses on the patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The interdisciplinary team includes a physician, nurses, certified home health aides, pharmacists, a social worker, bereavement counselor, chaplain, and volunteers. We are experts in pain and symptom management. Our social worker and chaplain are skilled listeners and help patients and family members find resolution and acceptance. Home health aides provide assistance with personal care, and trained volunteers provide caring, meaningful companionship and support as needed.

Hospice can also provide financial relief: All medications and medical equipment related to the patient’s terminal diagnosis are covered by the hospice benefit. Patient and family preferences guide all care and the hospice team is always a phone call away, day or night.

Quality of Life

Hamilton Hospice opens the door to a quality of life that would otherwise be unavailable. Our primary goal is to support making the most of a patient’s remaining time. Families who experience hospice end of life care in a timely manner understand that far from giving up, they have gained an opportunity to embrace and celebrate a well lived life.

Signs Your Family Could Benefit From Hospice

• Caregivers are physically and emotionally exhausted.
• Family members are overwhelmed by the uncertainties and sadness of the situation.
• Family members feel a heightened sense of emotional and daily living stress.
• Family members question their loved one’s quality of life