Mesothelioma Hospice Care
For more than 35 years, the growth of the hospice movement in the U.S. has shaped new ways of thinking about death, dying and bereavement. It has also provided an alternative for care of patients who are in the final stages of a terminal illness like mesothelioma.
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care that emphasizes quality of life rather than prolonging life. Although a mesothelioma patient may receive hospice care in a hospital, nursing home or dedicated hospice facility, most patients – about 90% – prefer to live their final days in the comfort of their home.
Call us at (800) 278-8675 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
When all treatment options have been exhausted and there is no hope for a cure, a hospice program for mesothelioma can provide a patient with something called palliative care. The main goal of palliative care is to improve the patient's well-being by easing pain and resolving psychological problems.
In-home hospice care provides critical support to the family and others who are providing care to someone at home.
Hospice Services for Mesothelioma Patients
With mesothelioma hospice care, professional staff and volunteers are available around the clock to ease the patient's transition through the final stages of life. Hospice programs include the family as well as the patient. It uses a multi-dimensional approach which may include any or all of the following services:
-
Pain and symptom control. Keeping the mesothelioma patient comfortable and pain-free is the primary goal of hospice care.
-
Spiritual care. While not a religious program in itself, hospice offers chaplaincy services for mesothelioma patients and families in meeting their spiritual and religious needs. These concerns are often important to people who are facing the end of life.
-
Home care or inpatient care. In general, hospice strives to help terminally ill patients remain at home. However, if inpatient hospital care is needed temporarily, hospice staff works with hospital staff to ensure continued care.
-
Respite care. Providing constant care for a seriously ill patient can put a tremendous strain on a family. When a break is needed, hospice can provide respite - or "relief" - care in a hospital or other inpatient facility. This allows the family a few days of rest and relaxation.
-
Social work care. Personal and practical needs may arise during the course of hospice care. Trained social workers can help with referrals, support or counseling.
-
Bereavement care. Hospice care is for families as well as patients. After a hospice patient dies, specially trained members of the hospice care team are available for a year or more to help surviving family members through their grief.
-
Supportive care. Supportive care is a general term that describes aspects of end-of-life care used by most hospices to optimize patient comfort without attempting to prolong life. It includes providing care for familiy members of the patient who are affected emotionally and/or spiritually by the diagnosis as well.
Hospice staff and volunteers provide many other services as well, such as education on death and dying or assisting families with daily care of the patient. With great compassion and empathy, these dedicated people help victims of mesothelioma and other terminal illnesses to face death with acceptance and dignity. This is done by helping these individuals focus on living each remaining day as fully as possible.
Hospice care centers and sources for more information
Hospice Education Institute