Hospice care is an important resource for cancer patients who are facing the end of their lives. Hospices provide comfort and support to cancer patients, offering comprehensive medical and emotional assistance. Many cancer patients choose hospice care when they are no longer able to tolerate cancer treatments or when it becomes clear that cancer cannot be cured.
Benefits of Hospice Care for Cancer Patients
Hospice services offer cancer patients several advantages over traditional hospital stays including access to teams of experts who specialize in palliative (comfort) care rather than curative treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Other benefits of hospice care for cancer patients include:
- Pain management strategies tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs
- An atmosphere of caring and compassion that helps cancer patients feel supported and respected
- Access to emotional and spiritual counseling
- Assistance with managing symptoms, side effects, and other cancer-related problems
- Improved quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
Cancer Hospice Stages
The cancer hospice stages are typically divided into three phases: pre-hospice, active cancer hospice, and end-of-life cancer hospice. The aim of cancer hospice care is to ensure the patient’s comfort throughout the course of their illness.
Pre-Hospice
In the pre-hospice stage cancer patients receive a range of medical services including pain management, symptom control, and emotional support. During this stage cancer patients can remain at home or in a hospital under the care of a palliative care team.
Active Cancer Hospice
In the active cancer hospice phase, cancer patients receive 24/7 monitoring with professional nurses and doctors available around the clock to manage symptoms and provide emotional and spiritual support. Other services cancer patients can receive during this stage include physical therapy, dietary counseling, home health aides, and volunteer support.
End-of-Life Cancer Hospice
In the last phase of cancer hospice care, cancer patients are offered advanced end-of-life symptom management including pain control and emotional comfort. This stage also provides access to resources such as grief counselors and bereavement support for those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
When Does a Cancer Patient Go to Hospice?
A cancer patient typically goes to hospice when their cancer is no longer responding to treatments, or if they are having difficulty managing symptoms and side effects. At this stage, cancer patients and their families can opt for hospice care in order to focus on the quality of life rather than traditional curative treatments.
How Long Do Cancer Patients Stay in Hospice?
The length of stay in cancer hospice care depends on the cancer patient’s condition and overall health. Generally, cancer patients can remain in hospice for anywhere from a few days to several months depending on their needs.
In-Home Hospice for Cancer Patients at Unique Hospice
At Unique Hospice, cancer patients can receive in-home hospice care tailored to their individual needs and preferences. We offer 24/7 monitoring with teams of professionals available around the clock to provide comfort and support for cancer patients and their families. To learn more about our in-home cancer hospice services, please contact us today.
