What are your thoughts about hospice vs conventional or modern medicine and hospital care?

Question

Since November 2003 I have seen 4 people very dear to me die. The last being my mother. (The other 3 were my grandmother,and uncle, and my father in law)

Answer 1

Are we talking hospice vs conventional medicine for the appropriately diagnosed Patient?
I think hospice is wonderful. In reality it would be so helpful if a patient were picked up under hospice with a prognosis of 6 months. This gives hospice workers the time to work with the patient on psycho-social issues rather than only issues such as pain control, wound care nutritional issues which are more issues dealt with at the very end of a patients life.
I believe in it because it is reality based. You are no longer pushing for a cure but are thinking of putting ones house in order, mending relationships, making decisions for your impending death so that loved ones can mourn and not have to try to discern what you may have wanted as far as treatment.

Answer 2

My best friends father passed away Friday night at home and had hospice and they were wonderful, caring, loving people. For me to say anything nice about anyone is rare but I went there the morning of the night he died and the home hospice was great. I am attending the wake and funeral.

I know the feeling, I lost my dad and my grandmother in the same week five years ago, I miss my dad and am still lost without him. I lost a close friend who died in a car wreck and we weren't out of school even a year. Then I found my grandfather on the floor in a pool of blood back in 1989. He was 95 and had a heart-attack and hit his head when he fell.

Life sucks, maybe this is hell and when we die it will be nothing but happiness.

Answer 3

The hospice is has regular conventional care. The difference is they are trained to deal with the the family and the patient who are about to leave this world. You get maybe better is the wrong word, more specialized care for both the psychical problem, and how to say goodbye. They really help families and friends deal with what is going to happen, in a very kind and caring way.

Answer 4

I think the hospice setting is more ideal for a terminally ill patient than the modern hospital. They can offer more attention and support in those final days ideally.

Answer 5

Hospice give the patient a loving enviroment and meds to ease thier pain in thier last days, usually they can die in thier home.

Answer 6

I have lost my father Sept.3/2005.my mother in march 22,2006. my aunt on June 22,2006.my mother wanted to die at home,her sister wanted the same.Hospice was a great help. my father died in the hospital.Hospice lets your loved one die with dignity.