End
Considering Hospice
Websites
Penn Medicine Hospice Princeton Health
I give this hospice program top billing because it is the program in which I serve as a volunteer, so I know it intimately. As described on their website, "The Hospice Program of Princeton HomeCare is dedicated to providing compassionate clinical care to patients with life-limiting illnesses while supporting their loved ones. The team uses a holistic approach to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of both patient and loved ones as they work through end-of-life issues, while supporting the hope of a full and meaningful life for as long as possible."
Home Care & Hospice Association of NJ
HCHANJ's website has a wealth of information about hospice care in New Jersey. Use their Provider Directory to find a hospice near you.
The American Hospice Foundation
Though the American Hospice Foundation closed its doors in June 2014, its website still contains a wealth of information under the headings of
• Grief
Articles
When should I start thinking about hospice care, for myself or a loved one?
An informative, general introduction to hospice that eventually gets around to answering the question in its title: "Experts in end-of-life care say most Americans need to start thinking about hospice long before the final six months is near."
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 rather about shifting the focus of care from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life. Hospice is a service for the family as well as the patient, freeing patient and family from suffering and worry and giving them a safe space and time in which 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 grieving process is much less burdensome for those left behind.