In addition, hospice philosophy provides for the spiritual and cultural needs of the child and family. The goal of hospice care is to provide the terminally ill patient peace, comfort, and dignity. Research has shown that hospice care at home helps a family as a whole. In addition to being in the comfort of the home, family members can also take an active role in providing supplemental, supportive care to the patient. Hospice often includes an extensive multi-disciplinary team available for care, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home care aids, trained volunteers, pharmacists, and bereavement counselors.
Some hospitals even have a special hospice unit.
Many long-term care homes have hospice units with specially trained staff for those patients who require medical services not suitable for a home setting. Freestanding hospice Independently owned hospices may sometimes include an inpatient care facility, in addition to their home care hospice services. The inpatient facilities offer patients hospice services if the patient requires medical services not suitable for a home setting. Copyright 2000 Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. All rights reserved.