18 / 24
18 ARCHBOLD
MEDICAL CENTER
WHEN THE END OF LIFE
draws
near for a loved one, you and your
family may be faced with some difficult
decisions, including whether to ask your
doctor to initiate hospice care.
Generally, hospice is for people who
have been told they have six months or
less to live and who are not receiving
treatments for a cure.
“If a person lives beyond six months,
he or she can continue to receive hos-
pice care with a doctor’s referral,” said
Jason Griffin, MD.
Many people in hospice care have
cancer, but some may have conditions
such as end-stage heart, kidney or liver
disease; lung disease; AIDS; or dementia.
Hospice care is based on the belief
that each person has the right to die
pain-free and with dignity and that
families should receive the support they
need to allow this to happen.
What’s involved
“The primary focus of hospice is twofold:
to control pain and other symptoms in
the person who is terminally ill and to
give emotional support to the patient
and his or her family,” Dr. Griffin said.
Hospice care is most often provided
at home. The person’s own doctor or a
hospice doctor oversees the care plan.
Regular home visits are provided by
registered or licensed practical nurses. In
most cases, health care personnel are on
call 24 hours a day.
Dietary counseling and physical,
speech and occupational therapy can be
part of a care plan.
Families can also receive in-home
JasonGriffin, MD
Medical Director
Hospice of Southwest Georgia
Do you have a
loved one who
would benefit from
services provided by
Hospice of Southwest Georgia?
Call
800.290.6567
. We will
gladly answer your questions.
Aspecial time for
comfort andgrace
HOSPICE
assistance from home health aides with
tasks such as bathing a loved one, and
trained volunteers can come to the
home to allow caregivers some time for
themselves.
Social and spiritual services are avail-
able to help patients and families cope,
and families can continue to receive
counseling for at least a year after the
death of a loved one.
Medicare and most Medicaid and pri-
vate insurance plans will pay for hospice
services.
Sources: Hospice Association of America; National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization