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Planning and Information Equals Quality End of Life Care
 There are 40 million seniors in the United States today. That number will double as baby boomers reach age 65. These boomers will place importance on dying well, just as they have emphasized living well. Our goal is to ensure that every American understands that hospice care provides compassion and dignity needed at the end of life.
Despite enormous medical advances, many Americans will die alone or in pain. While 80% of Americans surveyed said their wish would be to die at home rather than an institution, only 25% of the Americans who die each year actually do so. But of the 700,000 Hospice patients each year, 75% are allowed to die at home with dignity and comfort.
While the topic of end of life care is not one that most families want to discuss, it is important to ensure that end of life wishes are honored. In fact, studies show that we are more willing to talk about safe sex and drugs with our children that end of life care with our parents. Affinity Hospice of Life can help you with tips on how to start the conversation.
The Medicare Hospice Benefit guarantees comprehensive end of life care, at no cost, to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. Hospice helps ensure that the patient's wishes are honored. These wishes can include having a choice of the services that they receive or don't receive. The focus of hospice is caring not curing. Hospice also helps patients and their families manage and control pain and provide emotional support during this difficult time.
More people are turning to hospice every year for end of life care. To ensure that your wishes are honored, discuss them with your family, loved ones and friends. It is also important to make sure that your health care providers (Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, etc) know them as well.
Helpful information:
Aging with Dignity
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
U.S. Living Will Registry
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