Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice of Palm Beach County's philosophy is founded upon compassion and the belief that people have the right to make decisions regarding their lives and the type of healthcare they desire. Hospice is a concept of care, devoted to providing services for those with a limited life expectancy. Those receiving hospice services choose to have care aimed at providing comfort and support when curative measures are no longer effective. Hospice provides services to help ensure that the end stages of a patient's life are meaningful and peaceful.

The plan of care is individualized for each patient and developed collaboratively from input given by the patient, family and the Hospice Team. The Hospice Team works closely with the patient's Personal Physician to develop this comprehensive plan of care. The Hospice Team is there for the patients and families whenever needed.

Goals

Hospice care is comfort-oriented. The term to describe this kind of care is "palliative." Palliative care addresses the comprehensive needs of the person with a life-limiting illness and promotes the highest degree of comfort, peace and dignity. Hospice takes a holistic approach in caring for patients and families. This includes addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs through a team approach. Treatments or procedures are provided when they will contribute to the comfort of the patient. Laboratory studies and x-rays are used if the results are expected to lead to better symptom control. Tube feedings, intravenous fluids or hyperalimentation (TPN) are used when they contribute to comfort or relief of distressful symptoms. Blood transfusions and antibiotic therapy may sometimes be used for the patient's comfort.

Benefits

• Relieves pain and suffering by controlling symptoms and adding quality of life while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs and practices.
• Includes the entire family, not just the patient.
• Compassionate care.
• Respects patient goals, preferences and choices.
• Uses a team of highly trained professionals with different specialties to provide comprehensive care for the patient and the family.
• Acknowledges and addresses caregiver concerns.
• Builds systems and mechanisms of support.
• Values life and accepts dying as a natural process that is a profoundly personal experience for the patient and family.
• Adapts to changes as the illness progresses. The Team guides the patient and family through the changing goals of care. Hospice is the palliative care program that specializes in end-of-life care.

Difference Between Palliative & Curative Care

Curative care focuses on curing the disease while palliative care focuses on keeping the patient comfortable when cure is no longer an option or when the risks outweigh the gains. Palliative care can be part of the treatment of any person with a serious or life-limiting medical condition.