End
The time to learn about hospice is now, long before you face a healthcare crisis. And the time to contact hospice is when you have been given a prognosis of six months for your advanced incurable condition. Too many people equate "hospice" with "giving up on life," and therefore they make the mistake of waiting too long to call on hospice services. Hospice is not about giving up, but about shifting the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life. Hospice offers many services for the patient and the patient's family that can be valuable in the final months of a patient's life, not just the final weeks or days.
The hospice team gives the patient freedom from pain and relieves both patient and family of fear and worry by helping them understand what is happening now and what to expect as the illness progresses. Hospice creates a safe space and time for patient and family to be fully present to one another, to savor memories, and to celebrate a life well-lived. Studies show that when families are able to share this kind of experience, as opposed to chasing a cure and insisting on invasive medical treatment up until the end, the grieing process is much less burdensome for those left behind.
When to Consider Hospice
Go to Considering Hospice in the Resources section of this website.