What is Hospice Care?

Origins of Hospice

The term 'hospice' has been around since medieval times. A hospice was once a place where weary travelers sought refuge, comfort and sustenance.

The modern concept of hospice was pioneered by Dame Cecily Saunders who opened a hospice in England in 1967. In North America, hospice care programs have generally been developed in hospitals and have been called palliative care programs. The expressions hospice care, palliative care and end of life care are now synonymous.

A team of health care professionals, specially trained volunteers, friends and family members provides hospice, palliative, or end of life care. It includes medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual support until death, and support for the bereaved after the death. This care is focused on patient comfort and quality of life and is offered in North Shore homes, our hospital, hospice and care facilities.
 

Today's Hospice

Hospice is both a kind of care, and a physical place. Today, as a current building project on the North Shore, projected to open in 2010, the hospice will provide compassionate care in a home-like setting to people whose illness has progressed beyond the scope of traditional medical treatment aimed at curing disease or prolonging life. This end of life care is available to all in their last months and weeks of life, focusing on patient comfort, family dialogue and support, and saying goodbye. Admission to the hospice will be facilitated through your family doctor and/or your palliative care team.

The video at this link provides a caregiver’s perspective on the value of a hospice in providing quality palliative care. [link to April Telek’s video]