choosing hospice
Choosing hospice care is a deeply personal decision. Patients may choose to enter the program when they are medically certified as having a life expectancy of less than six months and have opted to end aggressive and/or curative treatments. Research shows the earlier a patient takes advantage of hospice, the more valuable it is for both the patient and their family. Because the focus of hospice is on caring rather than curing, hospice is appropriate for patients wishing to have as much control as possible over their end-of-life care. It’s important to remember that every patient is unique. Therefore, choosing to enter hospice cannot be decided using a standard formula or checklist.
Please know that whether or not to enter hospice is not a decision you have to make alone. The Bon Secours Hospice staff has years of experience assisting patients and their families, and can help you and your loved ones make a decision that works best for your special circumstances.
Many factors will affect this decision. A thorough assessment of the medical issues and the wishes of patients and their families are vital. The discussion also calls for honesty, compassion and strong communications. An important first step is to discuss the appropriateness of hospice care with your loved one’s regular doctor. The Bon Secours Hospice staff can assist with this discussion. In fact, our team can help at any time during the process. For assistance or questions, please contact our office at 804-627-5360 or toll free at 866-664-6344.
