While Hospice care is becoming more popular and more companies are emerging, statistics show that there is still need for more education.
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in 2002 an estimated 885,000 people were admitted to hospice programs. Of this number, 82 percent of the patients were Caucasian or white, 9.2 percent were African American or black, 4.3 percent were Hispanic or Latino, 0.8 percent were Asian or Hawaiian/Pacific and 3.7 percenet were classified as multi racial or “another race.”
The term “hospice” can be traced back to medieval times when it referred to a place of shelter and rest for the weary or ill travelers on a long journey. The name was first applied to a specialized care for the dying patients in 1967 by a physician name Cicely Saunders, who found the first modern hospice, St. Christopher’s Hospice, in London. Saunders introduced this idea of specialized care for the dying to the U.S. during a 1963 visit to Yale University. This lecture resulted in the development of hospice as we know it today.
Hospice is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice involves a team oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient’s and families needs and wishes. At the center of hospice care is the belief that each of us have the right to die pain-free and with dignity.
Hospice is not a place. Rather it is a philosophy of care that can be provided wherever a patient or family may choose: freestanding hospice facilities, homes, long term care or assisted living facilities. Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.
Heritage Hospice encourages everyone, regardless of their age, to take this opportunity to discuss their end-of-life wishes with family members and put them in writing with advance directives. Heritage Hospice can provide valuable information to help educate the public about advance care planning.
