Which of the following statements are true about Hospice?
Group of answer choices
a. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity.
b. It neither prolongs life nor hastens death.
c. It is based on a concept of providing comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
d. All of the above
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is d. All of the above.
Hospice care is a specialized form of care aimed at providing comfort and support to individuals who are nearing the end of their lives, often due to terminal illnesses. Here is an explanation for each of the statements:
a. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity.
This statement is true. Hospice care focuses on enhancing the quality of life during a person’s final days by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort. It strives to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with terminal illnesses, ensuring that the patient experiences their remaining time with dignity, peace, and comfort.
b. It neither prolongs life nor hastens death.
This is also correct. Hospice care does not aim to extend life or end it prematurely. It focuses on improving the patient’s remaining life by managing symptoms and providing compassionate support, without using curative treatments. In hospice care, the goal is not to fight the disease, but to ensure that the patient’s final days are as comfortable as possible, offering a natural and peaceful death.
c. It is based on a concept of providing comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
This statement is accurate as well. Hospice care is appropriate when a patient has a life-limiting illness and curative treatments are no longer effective or desired. The primary focus becomes supporting the patient through their remaining time and providing guidance and comfort to the family, both emotionally and practically. It’s a holistic approach, addressing not only the physical symptoms but also the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care.
Therefore, all three statements are true, making d. All of the above the correct answer. Hospice care serves as a compassionate alternative to aggressive treatments, ensuring that patients and families receive the care and support they need during this challenging time.