“Hospice is Doctor Recommended”

Denise Stancill, Director of Business Development, Hospice of Holland Inc. 

Doctors play a significant role in helping terminally ill people engage with hospice.   Over the course of someone’s life, the physician-to-patient relationship often forms a strong bond.  Treating and caring for patients, and their loved ones, through various phases of their life and medical conditions gives doctors a unique opportunity to become one of the most trusted individuals their patients’ turn to for advice and recommendations.  

Doctors help patients’ understand available treatment options and guide them in their decisions as they journey through the overwhelming labyrinth of medical specialties existing within the healthcare continuum.  When life brings change and the need for a hospice discussion enters in, it is a natural first response for many to call their doctor.  More often than not, when it comes to end of life, doctors recommend hospice. 

The specialty of hospice caters to the unique needs that exist for terminally ill people during this very sacred time. Hospice care focuses less on treatment options and more on bringing comfort, hope, and dignity though one’s final days.  Hospice physicians work in tandem with patients’ primary care physicians and other specialists as they help their patients’ transition from curative care to comfort care.  

Why do doctors recommend hospice? 

• Hospice caregivers are specialized.   The Hospice care team are experts at both caring for people at end of life and enhancing their quality of life.  
• Hospice brings hope.  Some people associate hospice with giving up hope.  In reality, for those facing end-of-life, hope takes many forms.  They may have hope for time with loved ones, hope for pain-free days and nights, and hope for dignity in their final days.  With Hospice, these hopes can become their reality.  
• Hospice helps people come to terms with their mortality.   Hospice brings emotional and spiritual support to the patient and their loved ones as they transition toward end of life. 
• Hospice brings relief.  The hospice care team are skilled at alleviating the physical, spiritual, and emotional pain that often is associated with end-of-life.
• Hospices are experts at having frank discussions about prognosis.  Part of the quality care delivered by hospice includes helping someone nearing end-of-life understand their condition and terminal diagnosis.
• Hospices assist with advance care planning.  Hospice Social Workers help patients get their affairs in order and help the team and loved ones support the end-of-life wishes and decision-making of the patient. 
• Hospice provides bereavement support.  Bereavement Counselors help those who lose a loved one journey through their grief to find hope.
• Hospice delivers individualized care. The patient is free to be actively involved in all decisions related to their care.
• Hospices ensure no one has to face end-of-life alone.

For more information about Hospice of Holland programs and services, to make a referral, or for answers to your questions about hospice care, please call 616.396.2972.  View www.hollandhospice.org  and hear from others how care from Hospice of Holland made a difference for their loved one.