Porter Hospice

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization defines hospice care as quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury, that involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to an Individuals needs and wishes. Hospice affirms that concept that death is a natural part of life and not only considers the individual, but the family as the center of care. To receive hospice care, an individual must have a life limiting illness in which they are no longer seeking aggressive or curative medical treatments and if the illness were to run its natural course has a life expectancy of six months or less.Similar to hospice, palliative care is family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and/or treating suffering. Palliative care addresses physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs to facilitate patient autonomy, access to information and choice. Palliative care is available to individuals that desire additional support while still pursuing aggressive, curative treatments; individuals admitted to Hospice are not seeking curative treatments, rather comfort and support at the end of life.Bottom line, whether an individual is seeking palliative care or hospice services an interdisciplinary team will be available to provide expertise and support to the individual and the family. Hospice focuses on end of life comfort while palliative care provides additional support to those patients that are pursing curative measures.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Shawn Swanson, RN, BSN, CHPN. Shawn is the Director of Clinical Services for Porter Hospice and St. Anthony's Hospice in Denver, Colorado. Shawn can be reached at 303-561-5344 or at shawnswanson@centura.org.