The hospice movement has earned admiration, endorsement and devoted support for its work with people who face the end of life - and with those who love them. Hospices have enriched the lives of well over 250,000 people in the last year alone.
What is hospice care?
Hospices care for the whole person, aiming to meet all needs - physical, emotional, social and spiritual. At home, in day care and in the hospice, they care for the person who is facing the end of life and for those who love them. Nearly half of all people admitted to a hospice return home again. The average length of stay is just 13 days. All care is free of charge.
Within hospices you find a range of services - pain control, symptom relief, skilled nursing care, counselling, complementary therapies, spiritual care, art, music, physiotherapy, reminiscence, beauty treatments and bereavement support.
Staff and volunteers work in multi-professional teams to provide care based on individual need and personal choice, striving to offer freedom from pain, dignity, peace and calm.
What to expect.
Rather than being 'in charge', staff and volunteers try to be alongside the person, as a friend for the journey. They aim to help people live life to the full, for whatever time they have left - no matter how long or how short.
If you are in their care you can expect:
- to be valued and given time
- to be accorded respect, privacy and dignity
- to be responded to with empathy, especially when in distress
- to be listened to and for communication to be sensitive and honest
- to be shown understanding of your individual beliefs, lifestyle and culture.
For statistical information, visit the hospice information website at: http://www.hospiceinformation.info
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