November is recognized as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a designation announced by then US President Jimmy Carter in 1978. This dedicated month serves as a reminder of the essential role hospice care plays in providing compassionate, end-of-life care to patients, as well as crucial support to their families. Though often misunderstood, hospice care provides tremendous benefits that extend far beyond the patient that includes a positive impact on families, communities, and even the healthcare economy at large.
What is Hospice & Paliative care?
Hospice and palliative care are specialized healthcare services that prioritize enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing terminal illnesses. Although both types of care emphasize comfort and support, they differ slightly in their scope.
- Palliative Care: This care is available at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments. It focuses on managing symptoms, alleviating pain, and addressing the emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of patients and their families.
- Hospice Care: A subset of palliative care, hospice is specifically for individuals nearing the end of life, typically when curative treatments are no longer effective. The goal is to provide a dignified, peaceful transition while offering emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones.
Lourdes Hospital Pioneering Compassionate Care
Lourdes Hospital is deeply committed to provide comprehensive healthcare that integrates preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services. The remarkable inititives of our Family Medicine Department offers patient-centric, cost-effective care that spans all ages, genders, organ systems, and medical conditions.
We have launched the Lourdes at Your Doorstep initiative, an innovative program that expands our palliative and home-based care services to the community. This ensures that patients receive expert medical attention in the comfort of their own homes. Our team of skilled doctors, nurses, and support staff provides personalized care, addressing both the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families.
Why Hospice and Palliative Care Matter
Improved Quality of Life: These services provide comfort for patients prioritizing symptom relief and emotional well-being, .
Family Support: Counseling, education, and bereavement services assist families in coping with the challenges associated with serious illnesses and end-of-life care.
Cost-Effective Care: Hospice and palliative care reduce hospitalizations and emergency visits, making them financially sustainable options for families.
Recognizing and Supporting Hospice Care
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month serves as a reminder of the valuable benefits that hospice care provides through its compassionate, dignified, and cost-effective approach. As we honor the professionals who tirelessly deliver this care, we must also acknowledge the broader impact of hospice on our healthcare system.
It respects life’s final stages with compassion and integrity, helping families and communities navigate the process of loss with grace and understanding. Supporting hospice care goes beyond just end-of-life support; it affirms a healthcare system that values humanity, respect, and dignity for everyone.
