Hospice Is More Than a Place: Our Hospice Philosophy
More than 90 percent of hospice patients receive care where they live. Dr. Kenneth Garm, hospice physician, explains hospice care’s interdisciplinary philosophy to take care of patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Our hospice philosophy is that hospice is a place of compassionate service, not a mere building or facility.
While there are some inpatient hospice care centers, hospice is much, much more than a location.
Hospice is not a place. It’s a philosophy. It is a way to take care of a person in the most meaningful way, in the comfort of their own home, or wherever they happen to be. They can be in the hospice care center, they can be in the hospital, they can be in a nursing home.
We’ll take a closer look at hospice care, the philosophy behind hospice, and why our service is so vital for those who need comfort during their end-of-life journey.
The Story Behind Our Hospice Philosophy
Wherever your loved one receives hospice services, we want to give them the best care we can. You can have hospice care almost anywhere. Most people receive hospice care in their home where they’re most comfortable, and where their family is accessible to them. Most of our patients, about 95 percent, are served at home.
Our Hospice Care Centers Provide Compassionate Services
The hospice care center is a very special place, and it really embodies a lot of what we try to do everywhere, all condensed in one location. At hospice care centers, we manage pain and symptoms that cannot be managed at home. Our goal is to get pain and symptoms under control so that patients can return home if possible. When that’s not possible, our serene, homelike inpatient care centers offer large rooms with doors that open to an outdoor patio and provide plenty of room for visiting family members.
Patients also come to our hospice care centers for respite care. The Medicare Hospice Benefit provides for five days of respite care at one of our care centers with no out-of-pocket expense for patients or families. Respite care gives caregivers a much-needed break to tend to their own health issues, attend a family event/celebration, take a short vacation, or simply have time to recharge their batteries.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is the only regional hospice provider that offers the continuation of care that inpatient care centers offer. However, whether in a residential setting or at one of our hospice care centers, the care provided is based on the same philosophy.
Hospice Involves the Entire Family in the Decision-Making Process
Is it time for your loved one to go to a hospice care center? There’s no one single answer that’s appropriate for everyone, so we decide on a case-by-case basis.
But this decision is not made lightly, and it’s not made alone.
It’s a choice that the family’s going to make, the patient’s going to make and the care team that works with them is going to make.
Our hospice philosophy means we only consider transitioning someone into a hospice care center when we can’t provide the same level of care in their current setting.
The Patient Is at The Center of Our Hospice Philosophy
Hospice is so much more than a mere address. The hospice philosophy is centered on taking care of the person globally.
That means caring for the whole patient. Not just easing their pain or alleviating symptoms but providing emotional and spiritual support and assistance from a team of healthcare professionals. We want our patients to achieve any goals they may have during the end of their life.
We also support the patient’s family throughout the entire transitional process and offer months of grief care..
Dedicated to Serving The Ones You Love
We understand that our patients have needs throughout the day and night, which is why we have people on call 24 hours a day to answer your questions or, if needed, make a visit to address the situation. You won’t be alone.
That’s the best thing about hospice. You’re not alone.
Not Sure What Kind of Care Is Right for You or Your Loved One? Contact Us Today
See why Lower Cape Fear Life Care is ranked as the best hospice in the area, with stellar rankings from the National Caregivers Survey.
Anyone can make a referral to hospice: family members, friends, doctors, neighbors, pastors, and even the patient themselves!
For more information, give us a call at 800.733.1476. We would consider it a privilege to serve you.
