to stay home to die when their families and have the opportunity to care for the loved one. Hospice gives this opportunity for those patients and family members giving them a way to minimize the stress, anguish, and trauma at the end of life. It is not geared to heal people physically, but to make the end of life as comfortable, meaningful and dignified as possible. My own personal experience with hospice care has been a great one. When my mother was diagnosed with liver cancer, the hospice care service was offered to us as the best option. After carefully consulting with the family we decided it was the best decision to take our mother home and receive hospice care. It gave us some respite moments during her illness and provide excellent care 24 hours a day, giving at our disposition all the services available. The supportive services, the provision of medications delivered at home, medical supplies and equipment, and most important their caring attitude give us a sense of peace and satisfaction. My mother's apprehension as well as ours about dying with such a traumatic condition, was greatly alleviated with the close coordination, care and supervision of the hospice care services staff. An increasing number of people are reclaiming the final chapter of their lives as a transition to be made among family members and friends, at home or in a homelike setting, away from the bright lights of hospital and the humming of machines. Hospice brings crucial elements of medical and nursing care to the person’s bedside at home and offers practical and emotional support for patients and their families. This program helps many patients to be alert, comfortable, and most important free of pain as they live their final days in a familiar place surrounded by people they know and love. Therefore, giving them a dignified death. References Stair, J. (1998). Understanding the Challenges for Hospice: Fundamental for the Future. Oncology Issues [Onli...
