{Patient Quality

Through Palliative CareBy Lisa Atherton

I chose to do my presentation on Palliative Care because Hospice has always drawn me in. When I think of ‘Patient Quality’ I suddenly think of the Quality of Life that one deserves. After recently visiting the Respite House in Williston Vermont I noticed that giving the patients the

quality that they deserve is the most important thing the staff can do.

I have also spent time volunteering at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Seeing the children when they’re at camp brings a whole different view of life. The quality of life that they experience while

they are at camp is like no other.

There are circumstances when there is an abundance of quality that comes from outside the hospital walls.

Why I Chose this Topic

{Not to treat the illness, but to relieve suffering – Hospice can provide care within a designated facility or at the patient’s home.

Palliative Care

Hospice

A facility or program designed to provide a caring environment for meeting the physical and emotional needs of the terminally ill.

-Merriam-Webster’s Medical Desk Dictionary, 2005

hospice treats the person, not the disease; focuses on the family, not the individual; and emphasizes the quality of life; not the duration

hospice care allows terminally ill patients and their families to remain together in the comfort and dignity of their home.

www.nahc.org

{Hospice recognizes dying as a normal process.

Hospice affirms life.

Hospice treats the whole person.

Importance of Hospice in Health Carewww.learningplaceonline.org

In 2010, Routine Home Care comprised the vast majority of hospice patient care days.

www.nhpco.org

4 General Levels of Hospice Care

Routine Home Care

Continuous Home Care

General Inpatient Care

Inpatient Respite Care

With the knowledge of dying, comes the 5 Stages of grief- Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance.

A pioneer of Hospice, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross is where these 5 Stages came from.

In Hospice, death is not delayed- dying and death are a part of life, the quality of care can make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Bereavement Support from Hospice is a continued commitment for both family members and for the community at large.

For a minimum of one year following their loved one’s death, grieving families of hospice patients can access bereavement education and support.

www.nhpco.org/files/public/Statistics_Research

www.takumta.org