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Hospice
services are available to persons with a
terminal or life limiting illness. This is
when supportive care is now the focus. The
typical hospice patient has a life expectancy
of six months or less, verified by a doctor.
Typical diagnosis are:
Hospice
is not just for people dying of cancer.
Good
Will Institute Hospice
also cares for terminally ill children, who
typically have terminal cancer or severe birth
defects.
If
your doctor was to ask, "Would I be
surprised by this patient's death
within one
year?", and the answer is
"yes", hospice should be considered
and offered.
A
patient is usually referred to hospice by the
primary physician, but
referrals can also be
made by family members, friends, clergy, or
health
professionals. The primary doctor
and the hospice medical director must
certify
the six month or less prognosis of the patient
that is six month if the
disease runs its
usual/natural course. As long as the
patient remains
appropriate for hospice care,
he/she can be recertified by the hospice
medical director.
Most hospice care is received at home. For example, the
patient's place of primary residence or
"home" may be in skilled nursing
facility, shelter, daycare center for elderly,
prison, or mental institution. Services
are provided by a team of professionals who
are specifically trained in hospice care.
The Clinical and Administrative Leaders
at Good Will Institute Hospice are Board
Certified Hospice Nurses. Our team
consists of physicians, nurses, aides, social
workers, chaplains, and volunteers, who
provide care and support services not only to the
patients, but also to the patient's family and
loved ones. Our care continues for at
least 13 months after the death of a
loved one, by a bereavement counselor
provided by the hospice. |
