As a result of my
involvement as a hospice volunteer, I (Gary) have became aware of the
important work these organizations are doing. For those of you, who
are as unknowledgeable as I was about this work, I invite you to become
acquainted by reading the following. You or your loved one may
qualify for their services or you might wish to donate to their work or
volunteer your services.
The
hospice movement to assist terminally ill patients and their loved ones
has only been in existence in the United States since 1974. During
that time, over 3100 hospice organizations have formed. In 1998,
they served 540,000 terminally ill patients.
Why has there been such
a tremendous response to hospice care? This success points to the
needs of terminally ill people and the ability of hospice organizations to
meet those needs.
If you are
unfamiliar with the care provided by hospice organizations, you will
probably be surprised to learn that it is not designed to cure disease or
illness. Instead, hospice services assist the terminal patient (those
patients who will only live six months or less) who
can no longer benefit from curative treatment.
This palliative approach
of hospice treatment helps the terminal patient live life as fully and
comfortably as possible. This goal is accomplished through medical
methods for pain and symptom control.
In addition, hospice
organizations work to meet the emotional, psychological, and spiritual
needs of the patients and their loved ones as they make the transitions
through life's final phase.
Much of the
funding of hospice care comes from the donations of organizations and
private individuals. In addition, much of the care and support is
supplied by volunteers.
Find out:
contact the National
Hospice Organization www.nho.org.
or check your Yellow Pages phone book listing under HOSPICE.
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