Hospice
Patients
Hospice care is valuable because it focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients facing terminal illnesses by providing comprehensive support, while also respecting their preferences and dignity, so that they may spend their remaining time in comfort and surrounded by loved ones.
Hospice care also extends crucial support to families by offering guidance, counseling, and bereavement assistance to aid in the emotional challenges of caring for a terminally ill loved one and coping with grief after their passing.
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The key supports and benefits of hospice care include:
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Quality of Life: Hospice focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients by managing symptoms and providing pain relief. This allows patients to spend their remaining time in comfort and dignity.
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Holistic Care: Hospice care addresses not only the physical needs of patients but also their emotional, social, and spiritual needs. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive support in all aspects of their well-being.
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Emotional Support: Hospice providers offer emotional support to patients and their families, helping them navigate the difficult emotions that come with facing the end of life. This support can ease anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
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Family Support: Hospice care extends support to the families of patients, providing education, counseling, and assistance with caregiving responsibilities. This support helps families cope with the challenges of caring for a terminally ill loved one.
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Respect for Patient Wishes: Hospice respects the wishes and preferences of patients regarding their end-of-life care. Patients can make decisions about their treatment and care options empowering them to maintain control over their lives.
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Comfort in Familiar Surroundings: Most hospice programs offer the option for patients to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. This allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings surrounded by loved ones, which can contribute to their overall sense of well-being.
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Bereavement Support: Hospice offers bereavement support to families after the patient has passed away, helping them cope with grief and loss. This ongoing support can continue for months or even years after the death of a loved one.
Referral & Intake
Members of West Virginia Hospice & Palliative Care Network come highly recommended because they adhere to the highest standards of care and quality. Patients and their families interested in hospice care may contact any of the network members and ask about their options via the FIND A PROVIDER link below.
Patients and their families may also speak with their physician or primary care provider should it come time to consider hospice care, or they may speak with hospital discharge planners or social workers to get more information about treatment options. In fact, the intake process for hospice care typically begins with a referral from a physician or healthcare provider indicating that the patient has a terminal illness and may benefit from hospice services.
Upon receiving the referral, the hospice agency conducts an assessment to evaluate the patient's needs, preferences, and eligibility for hospice care. Once the assessment is complete and the patient meets the criteria for hospice, the intake process involves coordinating with the patient and their family to develop a personalized care plan and initiate services, which may include medical care, pain management, counseling, and support for both the patient and their loved ones.
While a vast majority of hospice care is provided in the community wherever the patient calls home, patients with significant needs and uncontrolled symptoms might need to be admitted to an in-patient hospice facility too. Overall, hospice care values dignity, compassion, and comfort, aiming to ensure that patients and their families receive the support they need during the end-of-life journey.