Adventa Hospice History of Hospice and Adventa Hospice Philosophy
In medieval Europe, hospice meant a resting place for weary or ill travelers, a meaning it still retains. In recent years, however, hospice has acquired a special meaning for medical caregivers. Today, we recognize hospice not as a place, but as a concept, one of active support and care.
The hospice concept revolves around palliative medical care, which aims to lessen the severity of symptoms and to control pain. The care is given by a hospice care team that consists of a medical doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain, nurses' aide and volunteers. Hospice care is provided to patients in their home or, when there is no available caregiver, in a nursing facility with the patient and caregiver(s) participating in a plan of care that will provide the best quality of life possible for the patient. Hospice's comprehensive approach also offers supportive social, emotional and spiritual services.
In addition, hospice offers educational and emotional support to caergiver(s) to make the remaining time with their loved ones as meaningful as possible. Following the death of a patient, hospice bereavement services are offered to the caregiver(s) for one year.
Hospice reaffirms the right of every person and family to participate in the last stages of life's journey. Patients live their final days as fully as possible in the comfort of home and in the company of loved ones.
Adventa works closely with attending physician, hospitals and other agencies to focus upon enhancing and maintaining the patient's quality of life. Hospice is an appropriate alternative for any patient with an incurable illness that is progressive and associated with a limited life expectancy.
ADMISSION TO HOSPICE
In conjunction with the patient, family and attending physician, the hospice team establishes and coordinates an individualized care plan. Adventa offers help and support on a 24-hours/day, 7 days/week basis. Home visits are based on the needs of the patient and family.
Care includes:
Nursing Care
Volunteer support
Bereavement support
Medical social services
Symptom control
Medical supplies
Medications to treat symptoms related to the terminal illness
Physician services
Spiritual support
Pain management
Personal care
Patient and family counseling
Therapies (physical, speech, occupational and dietary
ADVANTAGES OF HOSPICE
Allows terminally ill patients and their family the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their own home.
Allows patients and their families to actively participate in developing the plan of care
Recognizes death as a spiritual, emotional physical experience
Treats symptoms and manages pain while emphasizing the quality of life
Supports surviving families and caregivers up to one year following the patient's death
Relies on the combined knowledge and skill of a team of medical professionals
