Heartsway Hospice

Hospice affirms life. Hospice exists to provide support and care for persons
in the last phases of incurable disease so that they might live as fully and
comfortably as possible. Hospice recognizes dying as a normal process
whether or not resulting from disease. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones
death. Hospice exists in the hope and belief that, through appropriate care
and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients
and families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation
for death that is satisfactory to them.

The basic belief systems that we use in providing care to our patients and
their families are:

• A comprehensive approach to care with attention given to the
physiological, sociological educational, emotional and spiritual needs of
the patient/family unit. This approach mandates a continuity of care,
regardless of whether the patient is at home or in an inpatient setting.

• An interdisciplinary team approach to care including physicians,
nurses, home health aides, social workers, counselors, specialized
therapists, clergy and volunteers.

• A focus in maintaining the patient in the home or, alternatively, in as
homelike a setting as possible.

• A concentration on improving the quality of remaining life, not
necessarily on extending it. The focus is palliative, not curative, with
major attention paid to pain management and symptom control.

• Care that - optimizes comfort and dignity and is consistent with patient
and family needs and goals, with patient needs and goals as priority.