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The Hospice Philosophy of Care

• Hospice is a special kind of care.   People sometimes think of hospice as a place where dying people are cared for. It is more accurate, however, to speak of hospice as a philosophy of care , a special kind of care which helps those who are terminally ill to live with dignity and comfort. Hospice can be provided at home or in an institutional setting.

• Hospice is palliative care. When a physician concludes that medical science has done everything possible to cure a patient, it is time to change the focus of care from cure to comfort. This typically includes a carefully managed regimen of prescription drugs and other therapies for controlling pain and other symptoms. For a further discussion of hospice palliative care, please see the Services section of this website.

• Hospice is holistic care. Hospice is a program of care focused on the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. Hospice is concerned not only with the physical welfare of the person, but with their social, emotional and spiritual well being as well. A patient who is dealing with the end of life seeks, and deserves, comfort in every aspect of his/her life. Hospice provides an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) consisting of a physician, nurses, nurse-aides, social workers, spiritual counselors, nutritional and other therapists, and specially trained patient-care volunteers. Our Director of Bereavement Services also serves on the IDT to ensure that families are provided grief support services as needed.

• Hospice is patient centered care. When a patient is admitted to the hospice program, the Interdisciplinary Team works with the patient and family to develop a plan of care that is expressly tailored to fit the unique needs, wishes, beliefs and values of the patient. Each person has their own ideas about what quality of life means to them. Hospice helps the patient to maintain as much control over his/her situation as possible. Hospice care is usually provided in the familiar environment of the patient's own home.

• Hospice is family-inclusive care. Hospice care includes not only the patient, but also the patient's family as well. Family members and caregivers typically need support in dealing with their own emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual needs during this challenging time. Hospice seeks to include them in the plan of care. Hospice volunteers can assist the family by providing respite care, companionship and patient care services as needed.

• Hospice is usually provided free of charge. Most hospice programs are funded through reimbursements from their patients' health insurance plans (e.g. Medicare and private insurance). In cases where there is no insurance coverage, most hospice programs will provide core services at no cost. With insurance coverage, Hospice of Hilo will provide-at no cost to the patient or family-nursing care, nurse-aide assistance in personal hygiene, medications related to treatment and management of pain, durable medical equipment, short stay hospitalization for respite and acute care needs, lab tests, and other patient services.

• Hospice is compassionate care. Above all, hospice is care rendered with respect and an open heart, safeguarding the dignity of the patient and family. Hospice workers and volunteers are sensitive to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. They are empathetic, receptive, and responsive. They know to listen, how to "be there" for a client.  Members of the hospice team seek to help in every way they can, respecting the needs of the client, while refraining from imposing their own expectations or needs on the situation.