First things first, ‘Do you actually understand the meaning and complexities of a hospice?'

If yes would you actually use this service to help treat you loved ones?

And if you make the choice of using the services of a hospice do you know who will pay for the services rendered?

These are the many doubts and questions that form in our mind when we are faced by the possibility of having to care for a sick and ailing member of our family.

Let me try to help you familiarize yourselves with this aspect.

The basic fact of life is that no one is here on this earth for eternity. We all have to die one day or the other. So if you are lucky to have your parents around you need to make the most of it as they are not going to be your guides for the rest of your adult life.

So what is hospice and the industry devoted to it?

Hospice basically is a word that is used to denote a home or a facility that is dedicated to look after sick and ailing patients. It was coined from the word hospitum which means hospitality and guest house. Guesthouse as it helps to make the suffering feel comfortable and thus be able to acknowledge what is their fate and hospitality as it helps to ease their pain through long hours of the unknown. The grief associated with the passing of a member of the family is uncontrollable and the services of the hospice are required to help lessen the traumatic experience the members of the family are going through.

The whole cycle that leads to the hospice starts from the clinic of the family doctor under who the patient is being treated. Diseases can be cured and some cannot be cured. Those who are afflicted with Alzheimer's and cancer and MS have a slight chance of being able to recuperate and face life's challenges again. If the progression of the disease if far beyond recalling I guess the services of the hospice come into play. The family doctor will usually refer such patients to a hospice agency so that the rest of the person's life can be passed in peace and tranquility. Hospice can't dictate the time for death. However, all it does is that it makes the last few days of life and ultimately death, a dignified one.

Hospice services are not designed to cure the patients of their diseases and disorders but in some cases the impossible can be achieved where in the patient might show some signs of recovery after the treatment and services rendered.

I say this because my grandmother who was suffering from a case of senile dementia was brought to her sense by the cool and calm approach of the nurse treating her. Thus, hospice care can't be associated with the undertakers. It is just an entity that reminds us that everyone has to die some day or the other.