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Q.
When should a decision about entering a
hospice program be made and who should make
it?
A.
Consideration should be made when a physician makes a 6
months or less life expectancy.
This decision can be made by the
patient, family, physician, or Power of
Attorney.
Q.
Should I wait for my physician to tell me
about hospice, or can I bring it up?
A.
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice
at any time after the diagnosis of a terminal
illness has been made. All too often,
patients, families, and doctors choose hospice
too late and don't realize the benefits of an
early referral!
Q.
How does hospice manage pain?
A.
Pain can be physical, emotional or spiritual. Hospice
nurses, pharmacist and physicians have
expertise in pain and symptom
management. The team of nurses, social
workers, chaplains and volunteers all are
available to assist patients and families with
emotional and spiritual pain.
Q.
My family is afraid that I will get addicted
to the pain medication. Is that true?
A.
This is a very common misconception or myth, and can be a
barrier to both the assessment and the
treatment of pain. To manage pain
effectively, doctors are encouraged to educate
patients and families about the inappropriate
fear of addiction
Q.
A lot of members at my church feel that
hospice means you are giving up, almost
abandoning your faith if you are praying for a
healing or miracle. If I accept hospice,
will I be a hypocrite?
A.
No,
not at all. If you have been diagnosed
with a terminal illness and you are praying
for a miracle or healing, the staff of Good
Will Institute Hospice will accept and respect
you for your spiritual beliefs and/or rituals
that are important to you. We will pray
with you and support you throughout the
process. There are many forms of healing
which have occurred as a result of prayer, and
hospice can help you and your loved ones at
this very difficult time. If recovery or
improvement in the condition occurs, you can
be discharged from hospice. You can
always return later if needed.
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