Running head: HOSPICE EXPEREINCE

Hospice Experience
Nikki Thao
California State University, Stanislaus

MENTAL HEALTH HOSPICE EXPERIENCE

Mental Health Hospice Experience

In todays society, end-of-life-care is a growing interest because of the increase life
expectancy of the aging population (Manu et al., 2013). As more people live longer, the number
of individuals that have chronic, progressive, and incurable conditions (Manu et al., 2013) will
continue to increase. Death and dying has a huge impact on not only the dying individual, but
also the family. As the aging population increases, the dying process needs to address in order to
prepare families and individuals for the lost. Hospice and palliative care are services that can be
used to support aging individuals with chronic, life- ending diseases and prepare families for the
dying process (Manu et al., 2013).
Palliative and Hospice Care
People interchangeably use the terms palliative and hospice; however they are not
entirely the same. Palliative care focuses on managing symptoms, relieving pain and suffering,
and improving quality of life of individuals needing care (Eues, 2007). The approach avoids any
aggressive treatments, but aims to optimize quality of life. Simple interventions are used to treat
symptoms that are considered viable to the patient. In contrast, hospice care is a systemic
program that focuses on care for patients who have been diagnosed with less than six months
to live. Hospice care is used to prepare families and the dying individual for whats ahead. The
approach gives patients and families some services, such as spiritual, social, and psychological
care, through the program. In comparison, the one main focus that palliative and hospice share is
to provide comfort care for the patients (Eues, 2007).
My Experience
For my clinical experience at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, there were 16 patient
beds that housed patients who have been diagnosed with less than six months to live. The main
focus of the program was to care for patients and their families, not cure the illness. In my

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experience, I got to closely observe the well- being of the patient and family, which emphasizes
physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well- being.
Physical Well- Being
Physically, the patient that I attended was really weak and fragile. She was bedbound and
mostly slept throughout the day. She was not able to communicate her needs with the physician,
aide, and nurses. The only time there was notice of life in her was when she was given
stimulation, which prompted her to open her eyes. There were visible bruises noted on her
forearms and upper torso, which was documented upon her arrival, the previous day. The
patients family appeared physically worn down and tired. Even then, they were attentive to the
patient and stayed by her side throughout the day.
Psychological Well- Being
In terms of psychological well- being, the patient was not able to voice her opinion on her
condition. She was unable to verbalize her needs and wants during my clinical day. There was no
way to assess patients well-being, but her body language indicated that she was comfortable and
relaxed. Every family that has a dying member at the Hospice House is given a blue book when
they are first oriented to the house. The blue book, called the Dying Experience, explains the
dying process and what to expect as the patient is dying. The book helps to prepare the family for
the signs and symptoms that may be expressed as the patient is dying. The patients family was
well aware of the patients conditions and all them were prepare for the worst- case scenario; the
patients passing. The family members appeared mentally prepared.
Social Well- Being
As indicated, the patient was not able to verbalize her needs to the hospice team and her
family. Socially, the patients family is well- aware of the time that she had left and was
understanding of her condition. The physician and nurses gave the family members a lot of

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comfort and emotional care. Even though the patient could not talk, the physician encouraged her
family to talk to her. Hearing is the last sense to go when a person passes away; having the
family speak to patient was a good thing because even though she cannot physically interact with
them, she can still hear them.
Spiritual Well- Being
The spiritual component of hospice is a very important aspect of the patient and familys
life as they embraced their own beliefs. Everyone has their own culture and beliefs that they
adhere to. The most important thing is that not every share the same belief and people have to be
open-mined to the individual patient and familys needs during the dying process (Eues, 2007).
As part of the Hospice Houses spiritual approach, there was a Chaplain that provided spiritual
care for each individual. Based on each patients spiritual belief, the Chaplain addressed that
spiritual practice and sought to that all of the patients spiritual needs were met. For example, if a
patient wanted to pray or have a confession, the Chaplain was there to guide them, as much as
possible. The patients family is also given spiritual care, as needed. There is a chapel within the
facility that gives family members time to grieve and pray.
Role of the Nurse
The role of the nurse in the end-of-life-care is providing quality comfort care and support
for each patient and their respected family. The nurses role is to ensure that optimal quality of
life is met at the end of life for the patient and address any needs (Eues, 2007). The nurse makes
sure to communicate with the physician and hospice team to identify any questions that family
members have regarding diagnoses and the dying process. Importantly, the nurses role is to
provide support for the patient and family by monitoring the effectiveness of pain management
and comfort level (Eues, 2007).
Student Experience

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This experience has greatly impacted my view of end-of-life-care and increased my

respect for the hospice team who care for these patients. Overall, this was a positive experience
for me. I am astounded by how caring and supported the hospice team was each of their patients
and the family members. Having this clinical experience has given me a greater insight on what I
can do improve the quality of life of others and their families. It can be very emotional and
physically draining for the hospice team, but I applaud them for their efforts because they are
main support for these families. The close bond that the team and family have is very powerful
because the loss of a love one is heartbreaking.

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References
Eues, S. (2007). End-of-life care: improving quality of life at the end of life. Professional Case
Management, 12(6), 339-344. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.
csustan.edu:2048/ehost/detail?vid=13&sid=15712cb3-443e-4398-a619-096acf8d78c2
%40sessionmgr114&hid=120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#
db=cmedm&AN=18030155
Manu, E., Mack-Biggs, T., Vitale, C., Galecki, A., Moore, T., & Montagnini, M. (2013).
Perceptions and attitudes about hospice and palliative care among community-dwelling
older adults. The American Journal Of Hospice & Palliative Care, 30(2), 153-161.
doi:10.1177/1049909112445305