Community hospice is a specialized type of care aimed at treating patients who no longer respond to lifesaving treatments. Through a supportive network of physicians, nurses, counselors, hospice care helps patients and families move through the final stage of life.

Identification

Community hospice, rather than treating a disease or illness, aims to provide comfort and support to dying patients and their families and friends.

Types

Typically, hospice care is provided directly in the patient's home or hospital room. However, community hospice facilities are available; these facilities offer a "home" for the patient and function similar to a hospital or nursing home.

Function

Community hospice staff will neither prolong life, nor accelerate death. Instead, hospice staff members are specially trained in pain management; their goal is to provide relief from pain and dignity during the patient's last days.

Benefits

According to HospiceFoundation.org, community hospice care "deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends." Hospice staff members attempt to support all elements of the dying process.

Considerations

In addition to direct patient care, community hospice also offers counseling services to patients and their families and friends. Bereavement and grief counseling often proves to be an essential element of the community hospice stay.

Source:

Hospice Foundation of America: What Is Hospice

The Community Hospice: What We Do

Community Hospice: Grief and Bereavement