What is Hospice
The term hospice palliative care refers to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual care aimed at providing comfort and improving “quality of life for those persons who are living with or dying from advanced illness”.
Hospice palliative care is based on a commitment to the whole person.
It is the combination of active and compassionate therapies intended to comfort and support individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness. During periods of illness, hospice palliative care may be combined with therapies aimed at reducing illness, or it may be the total focus of care.
Hospice palliative care strives to meet, through patient-directed supportive interventions, the physical, social and spiritual needs of patients and families, with sensitivity to their personal, cultural and religious beliefs.
A room at Hospice House
- Our Philosophy
Dying and grieving are a natural outcome to life.
The individual and family are the unit of care – “Family” is understood to include significant other.
It is the right of the individual and family to know and discuss, in whatever terms they wish, the extent of the disease and its implications.
It is the right of the individual and the family involved, according to ability, in the planning and choice of care.
It is the right of all individuals facing death and bereavement to receive consistent physical, emotional and spiritual support while maintaining individuality and dignity.
It is the right of those providing care for the dying and bereaved to receive planned emotional and spiritual support.
Effective care must be coordinated and consistent, reflecting a common philosophy.
It is essential that hospice caregivers have a commitment to professional and personal growth.
