What You Need to Know about Hospice Care
By R. Bruce Dalglish of Philadelphia
Hospice care is a combination of medical services along with emotional and spiritual support provided for people who are in the last stages of a terminal illness. Besides helping patients during their final days, hospice care provides practical and emotional assistance to the families faced with challenges of caring for their loved one.
Hospice care can be administered at a specialized hospice center, as well as in the comfort of a patient’s own home. The main goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Some people mistakenly believe that hospice care offers a lower level of medical care. This, however, is couldn’t be further from the truth. Unlike hospital-based care, which is often focused on aggressive treatment, hospice-based care focuses on managing symptoms and improving the patients’ overall quality of life. Research shows that people who receive at-home hospice care tend to live longer than those who spend their final days in a hospital.
Hospice care offers a variety of services, including basic medical care and equipment, 24/7 access to a hospice team member, psychological, emotional and social support for patients and their families, grief and bereavement counseling, etc.
If you would like to consult with an All Caring Hospice expert, our staff is always available to help.
Telephone: 610.828.3455
Email: info@allcaringhospice.com
About the Author
A resident of Philadelphia, R. Bruce Dalglish has served as the Chairman and CEO of Alliance Hospice and All Caring Hospice since 2005. In this role, Bruce Dalglish oversees the development and strategic direction of both companies. From 2008 – 2013, Bruce Dalglish served on the Public Policy Committee of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
Disclaimer: All Caring Hospice blogs provide education information, not medical advice. Please consult with your medical providers when making end-of-life care decisions.
