Life is very uncertain. Everyone on this planet is not fortunate enough to die a painless death. Throughout history, people have been suffering from life-threatening/ limiting illnesses. A system to make those last dates comfortable for an ailing patient was not existing in the past. With the development of the medical industry, the concept of hospice care started growing. Earlier it was few religious women helping those patients in their last painful days. Relieving a person of that endless pain during the last segment of his life is hospice and palliative care.
Both patient and his family get shaken by a life-limiting illness. Hospice and palliative care comes to their rescue. The concept helps in making those last days or months of patients free from pain and miser ability. This day is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of October (October 9, 2021) to raise the visibility of palliative care across the globe and raise sensitivity towards patients counting on their last days. Few advantages of this concept are:
- PROVIDES A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT: Hospice care services can be given in nursing homes, hospitals, or even a patient’s place. The patient finds small nursing homes more comfortable during their last days than crowded hospitals. Basically, this service works wonders as a team effort among patients, relatives, hospice teams, and doctors.
- PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SUPPORT & CARE: What does a life-threatening patient require apart from medication? He needs love, care, and personalized services. It relieves patient and his family of anxiety and stress. It offers services from companionship during loneliness to offering favourite food.
- A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: This service provides a comprehensive plan during the final days of the patient involving a team of medical associates to address patient requirements. This team involves a team of doctors, nurses, therapists, health care aides, clergy, social workers, etc.
- FAMILY COUNSELLING: The family of a life-limiting illness patient is going to the roughest of times. Hospice carers help them in getting out of their phobia and dilemma. It offers this service even after the death of the patient as counsellors.
- LESSEN FINANCIAL BURDEN: This service helps patient’s family with lesser hospital bills. Most of the insurance companies have tie-up with hospice services these days and can work wonders.
- DEATH WITH DIGNITY: It is known beforehand that this patient with die in a few days or months. The patient is able to accept death with dignity in most cognitive environment and less pain.
Let patients live comfortably during those last struggling days!!!!
Written By Mrs. Ruchi Mehta
Health Blogger
