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symptoms so they are as comfortable
as possible—and to provide that care
in ways that support body, mind
and spirit.”
Misconception #3: Hospice is
just for cancer patients.
While
hospice does, indeed, provide
comfort and dignity for many
cancer patients, it’s not exclusive to
that diagnosis.
“ e reality,” Rogers said, “is
that hospice covers a wide range
of diseases and illnesses. We are
there to help just about anyone
who is showing decline toward a
terminal diagnosis.”
It takes a team
Since there is an o en complex
mix of physical, psychological and
spiritual needs for hospice patients
and their loved ones, an entire team
is involved in providing hospice
care. at team could consist
of a physician, registered nurse,
social worker, chaplain or other
spiritual support, home health aide
and volunteers.
“Hospice care is always based
on what the patient and his or her
family wants,” Rogers said. “So we
put together a team and a care plan
based upon their wishes.”
Simi Valley Hospital’s hospice program
offers a free initial consultation with patients and/or their
loved ones to discuss their options. For more information,
call
800-654-4141
.
HOSPICE
is one of those
words that most of us are familiar
with but may not know how to
describe. It’s also a word entangled
with many misconceptions. Here are
three of those misconceptions—and
the reality.
Misconception #1: Going on
hospice means you’re giving up
hope.
Nothing could be further from
the truth, said Wes Rogers, regional
hospice director for Adventist
Health, including the hospice
program at Simi Valley Hospital.
“Hospice is never about giving
up hope,” he said. “It’s about
choosing what’s best for a patient
and providing the right services
and support so that a patient has
quality, compassionate end-of-life
care. Some people actually show
improvement while on hospice care,
and we celebrate that. Our focus isn’t
on death, but on comfort.”
Misconception #2: Less care
is given for patients who are on
hospice.
Again, Rogers said, this is
absolutely false.
“In some cases, more care is
actually provided,” he said. “Our goal
is to aggressively manage patients’
What is
hospice?
