Benefits of Hospice

Twenty-four-hour on-call availability of hospice nurse

Independence and comfort

Greater pain and symptom control

Reduced anxiety, fear and loneliness

Opportunities to reunite and celebrate with family and friends

Control over end-of-life decisions

Supports from an interdisciplinary team of trained hospice professionals

Family-centered approach

A more dignified, peaceful death in the comfort and privacy of home

"My 80-year old mother was on dialysis for 18 months, then made the decision to stop.  The first visit from the hospice coordinator was a great experience.  She explained to my mother and all of us that up to this point the medical profession had made decisions about my mother's care but now it was up to her and our family.  This changed the whole atmosphere at my parent's house as they began to take control of her final days.

The morning she died, the hospice nurse came immediately to their home and assisted the family to make the necessary calls.  Not only did she provide support to my family, she also took the extra time to answer questions from my 7-year old niece.

For a year following my mother's death we received cards from the hospice team on important days like her birthday and Mother's Day as well as helpful information on grieving.  It was truly a very positive experience and left only positive memories of a very difficult time for our family." 

-- Daughter of a hospice recipient, 2007.