Most Americans (when pressed to consider the subject, such as a CNN poll and other surveys) say they would prefer to die at home, but only 25 percent actually do. Still, fewer people are dying in hospitals today than in the past, and the availability of hospice care is credited as a factor in helping achieve the change. Unfortunately, people tend to seek hospice and palliative care too late, often thinking it is available only to those who are very near death. But hospice care— traditionally for those with six months or less to live — works on a spectrum, and the earlier such experts are involved, the better for the patient and their family, if they have one.
In fact, research published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that terminally-ill patients who received hospice care lived on average 29 days longer than those who did not opt for hospice near the end of life. Yes, hospice care is for cancer patients, but it’s also for people with any chronic illnesses that kill, including diabetes, emphysema, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Here in Snohomish County, Providence Hospice and Home Care has helped people and their families live well with serious illness, and with end-of-life care in their homes, since 1978. In 2013, the nonproft served 1,776 children and adults. Now, Providence Hospice is poised to expand its helping hand by opening Snohomish County’s first in-patient hospice service, to be located at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, as Herald writer Sharon Salyer reported last week. The program joins six other in-patient hospice programs in the state. It’s the first such unit for Providence, which operates hospitals and clinics in Alaska, California, Oregon, Montana and Washington.
The $5.3 million unit, with a staff of about 20, could open as early as January and will be able to serve up to 16 patients; and two rooms can be converted to use for children. The in-patient program provides a bridge for care when medical problems arise: Sometimes hospice patients have symptoms that can’t be managed at home, and need skilled hospice caregivers, Peg Rutchik, Providence’s vice president of hospice services told Salyer. For example, a patient may have pain that is increasing significantly, and needs more aggressive treatment, or if a patient is experiencing seizures. Patients generally stay three to five days, and then go home, where their regular hospice care is resumed. Other patients are admitted to the unit just before their death.
In-patient hospice care can be used to give the patient’s caregiver a rest. And as more and more people live alone these days, many hospices coordinate community resources to make home care possible, or they help to find an alternative location where the patient can safely receive care, including in-patient units.
Providence’s project has so far received $4.2 million in donations — reflecting the community’s belief in the need for this important option in end-of-life care.
(Those interested in making a donation may call 425.261.4800.)
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