Hospice care
Hospice care
Hospice care (/ˈhɒspɪs/), derived from the Latin word hospitium meaning guesthouse, is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering.
History
The concept of hospice has been evolving since the 11th century. Hospice were places of rest for travelers in the middle ages. In the 19th century, the religious sisters of Charity in Ireland began to care for the dying in their homes. This idea spread to the United Kingdom where Dr. Cicely Saunders opened the first modern hospice in 1967, St. Christopher's Hospice.
Approach
Hospice care involves a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The hospice team usually includes physicians, nurses, social workers, clergymen, and volunteers. The goal is to provide comfort for the patient and assist the family through their bereavement process.
Services
Hospice care services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pain and symptom control
- Spiritual care
- Home care and inpatient care
- Respite care
- Bereavement care
Related Terms
- Palliative care: A comprehensive treatment of the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of serious illness.
- End-of-life care: Health care provided to a person near or at the end of their life.
- Bereavement: The period of grief and mourning after a death.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hospice care
- Wikipedia's article - Hospice care
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