Hospice Care FAQ's for National Hospice And Palliative Care Month
- By Horizon Health Services
- •
- 16 Mar, 2018
- •
This November, we celebrate hospice care for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. The idea of hospice care only began in the mid-twentieth century and has greatly improved the lives of those diagnosed with a terminal illness.
How has Hospice Care Evolved?
Since its inception in the 1960's, hospice has revolutionized the way Americans care for the sick. Dame Cicely Saunders is credited with speaking about improved elderly health care at Yale University in 1963, a lecture that launched a series of events which led to hospices opening across the country. Saunders also opened the first modern hospice, St. Christopher's Hospice, in a suburb of London in 1967.
Since that time, hospice has evolved into a federal government regulated aspect of Medicare and an expected service of most healthcare facilities in western medicine.
What Does Hospice Care Provide?
While this question can be difficult to answer because each individual's care plan is different, there are some things hospice care provides for every terminally ill person. Hospice care will help you plan for the end of life and the emotional and spiritual burdens that come with it. Hospice care usually involves a medical team of physicians, nurses, a social worker, therapists, a chaplain, and volunteers. All of these people work to help you feel as comfortable and supported as possible during a difficult time.
Do I Have to Live Somewhere Special to Enroll in Hospice Care?
No! In fact, many people enrolled in hospice care live at home. A growing number of free-standing facilities and senior living centers are offering hospice care, but it is not necessary for you to move out of your home so long as your health allows you to stay. Horizon Health Services provides hospice care to anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness, wherever they live.
Thankfully, hospice care developed over time to provide medically necessary and emotionally supportive end of life care to the terminally ill. It is best to be aware of your choices and educate yourself about hospice care before the time comes you need to decide.
Learn more about Horizon Health Care’s Hospice services on our website. You can also give us a call at 320-468-2788 or 1-800-224-6451.
It is important to us at Horizon Health that we highlight our dedicated employees and help you learn more about the people who make our services great. In this edition of employee spotlight, you will meet Angie Athman, a licensed social worker for our hospice care, and Kelsey Benson, the care coordinator with Horizon Health.
All About Angie
With 12 years as a social worker under her belt, the last 6 of which have been spent working in hospice at Horizon Health, Angie Athman is a valued employee. Nevertheless, she is humble about her position. Angie says her favorite part of her job is the peace it brings her. She says working to serve the aging population is an honor and brings into perspective how precious life really is. While she does think working with end of life patients can be hard, Angie says she is grateful for Horizon’s supportive workplace where her coworkers are like family and the inspirational stories she hears from her elderly patients. When asked if there is anything she feels needs to be known about her position, Angie says that besides her job duties, she runs two caregiver support groups and provides community support to those nearing a hospice situation with a loved one. Angie invites anyone who could use her help to reach out to Horizon Health Hospice at 320-468-2788.
Keeping Up With Kelsey
Also a licensed social worker, our care coordinator Kelsey has done a fabulous job since starting at Horizon Health. Kelsey previously worked in a nursing home and enjoyed serving the elderly population. This led her to pursue social work at Horizon Health. She says her favorite part of her job is connecting families to resources they might not have otherwise had that make their lives easier. The rewarding part is making connections and helping people with compassion and a helpful heart. Kelsey says she really knows her elderly patients on a personal level and values building those relationships!
These two wonderful women make our hospice care more empathetic, more effective, and more supportive for our patients and their families. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Angie and Kelsey!
