Many patients check into hospice expecting to die, but instead are winning with life. Sometimes attention from loved ones and care from hospice can make the world brighter. Or maybe doctors predicted “death’s coming” incorrectly. Whatever the reason, around 100,000 U.S. Hospice patients will lengthen their lives.

Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. Volunteers for Hospice are trained to help patients by going over all the symptoms of the disease and counseling the patient and his/her family on the emotional, social, and spiritual impact of the disease.

About a third of hospice patients die within six months of their release. Another large number goes to nursing homes, because they continue to suffer from chronic diseases. But between 5,000 and 20,000 hospice survivors live with satisfaction. For most this remains a mystery.

One theory is that many patients, who appear to be dying, are suffering because their care giving is on the decline. After they receive the attention and medication they needed, some become well again. Often just taking away the pain; people get a good night’s rest, and get a second wind. Another theory is that it has been proven that people who are suffering do better when they receive social support. So, sometimes pending-death brings out the healing and loving power of friends and family.

For more information on Hospice, please visit: http://www.hospicefoundation.org/.

Source: Greve, Frank. “Many Patients Who Check into Hospices to Die, Don’t.” http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/14971838.htm.