By Dr. Domenic Monaco
Hospice care emphasizes the quality of life and holistic support for individuals, particularly those grappling with advanced cancer. This approach has yielded remarkable benefits for patients, inclusive of reduced pain, lessened symptom burden, and a decrease in psychological distress, to name a few.
Hospice care not only focuses on managing symptoms and alleviating pain; it emphasizes nurturing the entire person and providing unwavering support to the patient and their family, understanding that time is a priceless commodity. At United Hospice, we consider this holistic approach as our guiding principle.
The purpose of this blog is to shed light on the compassionate care approach embraced by United Hospice, underscoring how it enhances the quality of life for cancer patients and provides holistic support to both the patients and their families.
The Significance of Hospice Care
Hospice care goes beyond the conventional healthcare parameters, offering many benefits to cancer patients and their families. It provides a comforting and personal touch, ensuring that each patient’s unique needs are deeply understood and catered to.
Moreover, hospice care reduces unnecessary hospitalizations, allowing patients to receive comprehensive care in their own environment. This brings patients the opportunity to spend their remaining time in the comfort of their homes.
The Role of United Hospice in Cancer Care
United Hospice offers a holistic approach, extending practical, spiritual, and emotional support to not only the patients but also their devoted caregivers and families. Our mission is deeply rooted in the core principles of compassion and empathy, with a primary goal of ensuring that every individual in our care experiences the highest quality of life possible. We pride ourselves on tailoring our expertise in symptom and pain management to the unique needs of each patient, prioritizing their comfort and well-being above all else.
Our comprehensive range of services encompasses nursing care with 24/7 after-hours on-call support, home health aides, social workers, physician care, spiritual support, nutritional counseling, and various therapeutic modalities. We also provide volunteer support, manage hospice medications, supply essential approved medical equipment, and strive to create a nurturing environment where patients can focus on what truly matters: making precious memories with their loved ones.
We at United Hospice understand that each patient’s journey is unique, and so we collaborate closely with their existing medical team to provide the highest quality of care. This collaborative approach allows us to seamlessly integrate our expertise in hospice and palliative care with the patient’s ongoing medical treatment.
Hospice does not have the power to accelerate or decelerate the natural dying process. Research indicates that, in some cases, hospice care can extend the precious time patients have with their families. We here at United Hospice do everything in our power to maximize the patient’s quality of life, alleviate pain, and effectively manage symptoms.
When to Consider United Hospice for Cancer Patients
Recognizing the appropriate time to consider hospice care for a cancer patient is pivotal in ensuring the highest quality of care during a challenging journey. Typically, patients with advanced-stage cancer, who are estimated to have six months or less to live, can greatly benefit from the specialized care.
Advocating for proactive hospice planning is a cornerstone of our philosophy at United Hospice. This early planning approach shifts the focus toward managing symptoms and supports timely, well-informed decision-making. It also encourages open dialogues about emotions, worries, and individual desires. The result is enhanced care, improved communication, and emotional readiness, guaranteeing that the patient’s wishes and values are upheld throughout their end-of-life journey.
The United Hospice Commitment
At United Hospice, our commitment to exceptional care is unwavering, and it’s reflected in our dedicated interdisciplinary team of professionals. In addition to directly supporting cancer patients, hospice care extends its compassionate embrace to their families. Our services encompass caregiver education and training, assistance with difficult decisions, emotional and spiritual support, and help with financial concerns.
If you or a loved one is fighting Cancer or serious illness, consider reaching out to United Hospice. Our team of healthcare providers is dedicated to providing compassion, comfort, and dignity when it matters most. To learn more or get the answers you need, call United Hospice at 845.634.4974.
Source:
Palliative Care Reduces Odds of Suicide in Lung Cancer Patients (CAPC)