According to a Harris Survey on End-of-Life Care conducted in 2002, the vast majority of Americans (86%) believe that people with terminal illness would most like to receive end-of-life care at home. Yet nearly 70% of deaths in America today occur in facilities, primarily in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Caring for a seriously ill loved one at home can be intimidating and overwhelming. Most of us have no experience or training in caring for an ill person at home. Adding to our sense of overwhelming responsibility is the rapid advance of technology, which has made the array of home-based medical interventions bewildering.
There is little doubt that, when families commit to caring for a seriously ill loved one at home, they face many challenges. These families also benefit from additional support, especially the comprehensive, holistic support offered by hospice. Hospice care is care that addresses the needs (physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, social, financial, and legal) of a dying person and his or her family. Under certain circumstances, Medicare will pay for hospice care in the home. Compassionate Care Senior Services works closely with HYPERLINK "http://www.familyhospice.com/" \t "family hospice and palliative care" area hospices.