and which aims to give the patient and family the best possible quality of life despite the progressive nature of the disease. This is why most comprehensive hospice and palliative care programs have developed home care as part of the services they provide.
WHAT IS HOSPICE HOME CARE?
There can be confusion about this term "hospice home care". In the minds of the public and of health care professionals, the term "hospice" is often associated with a place, with what they think of as a nursing home for terminally ill patients. They therefore expect home care to be full time care in a hospice building. This is not what is meant by "home care". Hospice home care is palliative care provided in the patient's own house by the hospice team.
WHO MAKES UP THE HOSPICE HOME CARE TEAM?
The composition of the home care team depends on funding and on the organization which has established the hospice home care team. Many hospice home care programs are started by volunteer nurses and doctors who work closely with other trained volunteers. These volunteers go to the patient's homes to give nursing and medical advice, simple counselling and practical assistance such as driving the patient to hospital appointments or collection of medication from the pharmacy. Arrangements are made so that help is available 24 hours a day.
