The word “hospice” stems from the Latin word “hospitium” or “hospitality”, meaning guesthouse. The name was first applied to specialized care for dying patients by Dame Cicely Saunders.
During the middle ages, a hospice was a way station, a place for travelers to rest. Dame Cicely Saunders began her work with the terminally ill in 1948 then eventually she established the first modern hospice, called the St. Christopher’s Hospice in London, England. Dr. Saunders organized a team of professional caregiving to use modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The first hospice in the United States was established in New Haven, Connecticut in 1974. Now in the 21st century there are more than 4,100 hospice programs in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Now that you know a little history about the hospice program, it is important to know the facts of what hospice really is. There are many misperceptions about hospice. Many believe you have to be on your death bed to be on hospice. Or if hospice comes in that means I have to go to the hospital and wait to die. These tales are exactly what they are, tales.
Hospice is a philosophy of care that addresses the needs of families when traditional and aggressive treatments are no longer safe or beneficial for a loved one.
Hospice care is sometimes referred to as comfort care or palliative care. This type of treatment uses a holistic approach which shifts focus off the disease and places more emphasis on the persons and their families using the interdisciplinary team approach. Hospice focuses on “quality of life”, rather than quantity of life.
For a more clarification of what hospice is and is not, below are some factual statements…..
Hospice is NOT a place, like a hospital.
Hospice IS a way of providing care wherever the patient is – at home, a hospital, or a nursing home.
Hospice is NOT a place to send people to die.
Hospice IS a way of helping people live the remaining time of their lives fully and with as much comfort as possible.
Hospice is NOT a “death bed” service only for people in the last 48 hours of life.
Hospice IS a comprehensive care program for patients and families, which emphasizes on quality of life; it is most effective during the final 6 months of life expectancy.
Hospice is NOT a place to send dying patients so, they do not know what is happening.
Hospice IS a care system based upon the right of people to know accurately and honestly what is happening to them so they can choose how they want to spend their precious remaining time in the most purposeful and meaningful way.
Hospice is NOT for everyone.
Hospice IS a provision of services elected by some patients and families because it helps them meet their own goals while remaining consistent with their values and concerns.
Hospice is NOT just for cancer patients.
Hospice IS available to patients of any age, race, sex, or religion who have a disease in its final stages.
Hospice is NOT a resignation to hopelessness and helplessness.
Hospice IS a way to realistically and humanely deal with one of the great challenges of human life by offering a new perspectives on hope and help to patients and families.
Hospice is NOT a substitute for the family of the family’s care.
Hospice IS a family-oriented program which helps families care for their loved ones in their place of residence and provides institutional backup as needed.
Hospice is NOT expensive.
Hospice IS a cost-effective alternate system that keeps the patient at home and care for by the family. Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance companies provide reimbursement for the services, and no patient is denied care because of the inability to pay.
We are passionate about our calling and help each individual live as fully as possible. Our aim is to be a caring and professional team that provides end of life care, while preserving your dignity and enhancing the quality of your life.
For more information about the hospice program and how Peace Hospice can assist you, please visit or contact us and start putting your mind at Peace.
Peace Hospice & Palliative Care
1717 N Naper Blvd. Suite 301, Naperville IL 60563
630.649.7630 or 773.233.1010