Hospice, in the earliest days, was a concept rooted in the centuries-old idea of offering a place of shelter and rest, or “hospitality” to weary and sick travelers on a long journey. Today, hospice care provides humane and compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Its all about making the patient feel comfortable and helping them to end their lives with dignity and to aide the family in coping with this difficult time in their lives. 

 Hospice is a philosophy of care. The hospice philosophy recognizes death as the final stage of life and seeks to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice affirms life and does not hasten or postpone death. Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease; it highlights quality rather than length of life. It provides family-centered care involving the patient and family in making decisions. Care is provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospice care can be given in the patient’s home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Most hospice care in the United States is given in the home, with a family member or members serving as the main hands-on caregiver.

There really is no better place to recieve the care and comfort that one deserves at this time than in the familiar surroundings of their own home.  A Live in caregiver from Expert Home Care can work together with Hospice allowing the patient to come home or remain at home to spend the last months, weeks or days in the place that they cherish most-HOME.  We have many caring and compassionate caregivers who have worked within this type of situation and who can ease the family’s burden of the care requirements thus allowing family to spend quality time with their loved one on their own terms.

Expert Home Care is a member in the NJ Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and can discuss the options available for in-home care and refer you to excellent hospice programs throughtout the state.