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HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Making the Transition to Hospice Care

For many years, death The truth is, the end-of- of completing advanced directives. There a disease—whether it is chemotherapy or
has been a distant and life stage is never easy, and is a sense of control when choosing hos- radiation, for example. Quality of life is
frightening event. While it is different for everyone. pice under these circumstances because quickly decompensating.
most still fear death, this Admitting a patient to hos- one decides how they want the last few 3. Old age: the patient has aged to the
philosophy is changing as pice does not mean giving months of his or her life to look. point where they are in and out of the hos-
more patients, and their up hope, it gives the patient The hospice program not only focuses pital and continuously calling 911 to go to
families are sharing the and family an opportunity on the patient but their family and friends. the ER.
death experience in the to cherish the patient's final Loved ones will not be left without the 4. Need of comfort: the patient wants to
comfort of the same home moments comfortably with patient’s last wishes and without a helping be in the comfort of their home with their
where they have shared dignity. Hospice care focus- hand once the patient passes away. A cru- family and friends during this stage.
their living experiences. es on caring, not curing. It cial part of our program teaches and assists 5. Helplessness: the patient and/ or
The primary goal of hospice provides symptom manage- families; in order to meet the physical and caregiver don’t know where to go or what
is to provide personalized ment and appropriate pal- emotional needs that accompany this time to do, knowing life's final moments are
expert medical care, pain BY CAROLINA ARMAS liative care when curative in their lives. Social services, spiritual near.
management, and emo- BUSTAMANTE medical treatments no counselors, and bereavement support staff Agreeing to hospice care is not admit-
tional and spiritual support longer enhance the patient’s provide unremitting care and education ting defeat. It is, in fact, a noble and self-
so that the patient may live comfortably quality of life. The focus of care shifts before, during and after hospice care is less decision made to help the weak live
and with dignity. Additionally, it is impor- towards helping the patient achieve maxi- needed. OpusCare of South Florida vows the fullest lives they can. It allows for one
tant the family and friends be with them in mum quality of life from a physical, emo- to stay close to loved ones for at least a to feel comfortable and be taken care of at
their final moments. tional and spiritual perspective. year after the patient’s passing to help a time when his or her body is slowly let-
Why would you choose hospice care for Together with the family the hospice them cope with the loss. ting go.
yourself or a loved one? interdisciplinary team consisting of physi- There are ways to determine when a per-
We have found that many people dread cians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, son is ready for hospice care. While the
hospice care. Our fieldwork has shown, bereavement counselors, respite care vol- end-of-life stage is different for everyone, Carolina Armas Bustamante is Executive
lack of education and knowledge of pallia- unteers and others; a plan is set in place to each family’s customs and beliefs are Vice President at OpusCare of South
tive and hospice care to be a contributing treat the individual needs of the patients'. unique, and each terminal illness is dis- Florida, a boutique-like, non-profit, commu-
factor to the anxiety and fear associated These heroic caregivers play a central role similar, below are five signs OpusCare nity-based organization that has been pro-
with the word hospice and what it will in the hospice care program. believes are an indication that hospice care viding the community with comprehensive
mean to the patient and their loved ones'. One, in fact, is defeating the pain by is right for your situation. quality Palliative & Hospice Care for over
Some say that it feels like a defeat, whether treating it and also overcoming the help- 1. Terminal Illness: the patient is fight- 26 years. For more information, call
it’s by an illness or by life itself. Others say lessness by disclosing his or her last rights. ing an aggressive disease. 305-591-1606 or go to
there’s a feeling of helplessness and loss of Social Services personnel are available to 2. Aggressive Treatment: the patient is www.opuscare.org.
control associated with hospice care. assist when requested, through the process not responding to aggressive treatment for

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