The Hospice Movement: A Case Study

According to Macionis (2012), hospice is a “homelike care that provides physical and emotional comfort to dying people and their families (p. 130). The hospice movement was founded by Cicely Sanders, who was a nurse and physician that noticed the need for an organization that will help people die with dignity and in comfort (Macionis, 2012). Although hospice care has its advantages such as offering a familiar environment with a team of professionals that will address all aspects of a patient’s illness, hospice ceases efforts to cure, which can be time-consuming and exhausting for the loved ones.
Hospice can be provided in hospice facilities, hospitals, or nursing homes; however, “it can also be provided in the comfort of the patient’s home” (Geisman, n.d.). …show more content…
Hospice includes an interdisciplinary care that involves a team of medical professionals and volunteers (Morrow, 2014). Medical professionals and volunteers include doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy, etc. (Morrow, 2014).
Hospice has as much disadvantages in patient care. For instance, doctors in hospitals always attempt to prolong the life of the patient in hopes of a cure. Nonetheless, when a patient opts for hospice, it is a concession with life and an acceptance of death (Croswell, 2015). Instead of experiencing “discomfort resulting from these efforts, hospice care creates a comfortable situation that allows a terminally ill individual to be at peace” (Croswell, 2015).
Unfortunately, hospice can be time-consuming and exhausting for loved ones because many times, it’s the responsibility of the patient’s family members to care for the sick (Croswell, 2015). As a result, caretakers may experience fatigue during hospice (Croswell, 2015). It is never easy to feed, bath, and not take days off during this difficult time period until the patient dies (Croswell,