What is Hospice?
Hospice is a specific form of palliative care based on the needs of patients in the last six months of their lives. The primary focus of hospice care is addressing pain and other distressing symptoms so that a person may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Dying in hospitals can be a stressful experience for many patients and their families. There can be physical and emotional discomfort, absence of space for relationships, spiritual suffering, increased stress on caregivers and significant financial burdens. Hospice services therefore focus on in-home care of the patient and support of the caregivers. Hospice care is also provided in skilled nursing facilities, as well as assisted living facilities. The multidisciplinary hospice team of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members provide for the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient and family.
Currently, hospice providers in Alaska cannot meet demand. An estimated 1,200 Alaskans die from chronic illness each year in the Anchorage area, with approximately 25-30 people being served at any one time with hospice care prior to the opening of Providence Hospice. By significantly expanding Providence’s hospice services, Providence will help to meet this growing health care need.
The Providence Hospice program is Medicare certified and Joint Commission certification is anticipated in the near future.
|
