The New Concept in Hospice Care |
Hospice is a unique concept of care, originally based on the notion of offering a place of shelter and rest, or hospitality, to sick and fatigued travelers. According to the National Cancer Society archives, Dame Cicely Saunders at St. Christopher's Hospice in London first applied the term "hospice" to specialized care for dying patients in 1967. Today, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, hospice care in the United States is embraced offering palliative care and support services to over 1.2 million people annually. |
Early identification that hospice is the right choice for a family can make a dramatic difference in the quality of life for the patient and a comfortable closure for the family. At Samaritan Care Hospice we would like to salute the many physicians and other health care professionals who support the early identification for hospice eligibility so that patients and their families don't delay their decision to take advantage of the fullness of the benefit.
Hospice is not about death, but rather about the quality of life. It’s about the many ways in which experts spanning the medical community can seamlessly meet the wishes of patients, families and friends to ensure comfort and closure as life nears its end. Although still in embryonic stages in terms of awareness, it is the job of every hospice organization, physician, medical professional and family member familiar with this benefit to share their experiences and help educate the American population.
Matthew L. Feller serves as vice president of marketing for Samaritan Care Hospice.
