Don't Be Afraid of Hospice

For many people, Hospice is a "four-letter word", a word no one really wants to hear. It is difficult to face the reality of our own mortality. We want to think there is "one more treatment" or "something else" our physician can do that will give us more time to live. Certainly, Craven County Hospice encourages everyone to seek treatment as long as it provides longer quality of life. When faced with a diagnosis of an illness or condition that will limit your life, please don't hesitate to ask your physician about Hospice services. We are always here to help you face that journey. You are not alone! If you hear the words: "There's nothing that can be done...," Hospice is the "something else." Hospice is a philosophy of care that provides palliative (pain and symptom control) comfort and practical help to you and your family in your home. Questions? Please don't hesitate to give us a call. Our own internal surveys show 100% of those responding would recommend our services to friends and family. One hundred percent of physicians that use our service indicate they would refer patients to our service again. 

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." Mark Twain, American novelist and humorist (1835 - 1910)

• Hospice is philosophy of care that looks at each individual as being that: An individual.
• Hospice affirms life, yet views death as a normal process.
• Hospice will never do anything or administer any medication that would shorten a person's life prematurely. Hospice is NOT euthanasia, or assisted suicide. 
• Hospice care is designed to support patients and families to empower them to face critical illness in their home environment.
• Hospice provides bereavement support and counseling.

Services Include:

• Skilled Nursing - in home care focusing on pain and symptom control for the individual.
• Nurse Aide - to assist with personal care.
• Respite Aide - to provide a 3-hour respite break for the family in the home.
• Hospice Volunteers - trained in handling the varied needs of the patient/family.
• Social Workers - provide for psychosocial needs of the patient/family.
• Bereavement Support - provided up to one year after the patient dies. On-call services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Spiritual Care Support - a spiritual care coordinator (Chaplain) to ensure patient and family spiritual care needs are met through direct support or coordination with patient/family spiritual support systems.

The goal of Hospice is to provide "Palliative Care" (the control of pain and symptoms) utilizing a team of specialists (disciplines) to provide care including physician services (working together with your doctor of choice), skilled nursing, counselors and social workers, spiritual care specialists, certified nursing assistants, and volunteers with a variety of skills and levels of assistance.

At Craven County Hospice, we "Focus on Living"