LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – National Hospice Care Month is being commemorated in November.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors is set to present a proclamation designating the month of November 2012 as National Hospice Month at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.
 
Hospice Services of Lake County has been caring for people with life limiting illnesses for the past 33 years.

On average, 250 Lake County residents receive hospice care annually. Most care is provided in the home, or wherever a person calls home. This allows people to be with their loved ones in comfortable surroundings as life comes peacefully to a close.

During National Hospice month, Hospice Services of Lake County is raising awareness of the many benefits of hospice care.

Hospice care is more than traditional medical care. Hospice is about assuring that a person enjoys quality of life for as long as they have life.

Self-determination is a hallmark of hospice care. The patient and family determine what they need and the hospice team is committed to providing them with the best care possible.

When a cure is not possible, hospice is noted for providing expert pain management, symptom control, emotional support and spiritual care to patients, loved ones and caregivers.

Hospice Services of Lake County’s research shows that 93 percent of families who had a loved one who was cared for by hospice rated the care as very good to excellent, and that people with similar diagnoses often live 20 percent longer and enjoy better quality of life than those who do not have hospice care.

“The most frequent comment from those who have had hospice service is that they wish they had called us sooner,” reports Faith Lykken, director of Patient Care Services for Hospice Services of Lake County.

Hospice care is most effective for patients and families in the final months of life when families can take full advantage of the range of services hospice provides.

Good quality of life at the end of life is not an elusive concept. Hospice is here to support you and your loved ones.

Six important points to know about hospice:

• Hospice care is usually provided in the home – wherever the patient calls home.
• Hospice costs are covered by Medicare, Medi-cal, the Veteran’s Administration, most private health plans and HMOs.
• Hospice cares for people with any kind of life-limiting illness.
• Hospice takes care of the patient, their loved ones and caregivers.
• Hospice is not limited to six months of care.
• Hospice is not “giving up;” the focus is on caring, not curing.

Anyone can contact hospice. To learn if hospice is right for you or your loved one call 707-263-6222 for a personal and confidential consultation.