Being in the home with family members gives patients comfort and security, and relieves feelings of isolation. By allowing patients to live life fully and make their own decisions, hospice provides them dignity and respect. Unlike other methods of health care, hospice also focuses on the well-being of the patient's family and offers support as it is needed. In addition, family members play an important role in making decisions about the patient's care. They may also be involved in the direct care of their loved one.
Hospice provides a great deal of support to help families through the process of loss and grief.
Hospice can also prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. Experienced professionals can predict many of the physical and psychological effects of disease and work proactively to prevent or lessen them. In addition, there is always a hospice nurse available anytime of day or night to help with a problem. Since approximately 90 percent of hospice services are delivered in the home, hospice care is less expensive than hospital or nursing home care. Hospice service usually occurs in homes.