What is Hospice Care?

Hospice Care is about the choice for living each moment of life with a sense of purpose, and freedom from pain. Here, at Bonum Hospice Services, we focus on affirming life by treating the patient, not the disease, through a well-managed system of care. With pain and other symptoms under control, a person can enjoy the time they have left with the people they love.

The goal of hospice care is to help a terminally ill person to live a life of dignity, with less pain and discomfort. The team, which is qualified for various functions, deals with different aspects of the patient’s problems. The interdisciplinary hospice team addresses pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea and other symptoms associated with the terminal illness. The team also supports the patient’s emotional, social and spiritual needs. We have a strong belief in the intrinsic dignity of each person, leading us to provide hospice care for the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Our mission is to provide quality medical and social services to the terminally ill and their families, focusing on support and caring in the time of need.

Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include a hospice physician, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, hospice aides, social workers, spiritual-care professionals, bereavement counsellors, volunteers and therapists when clinically appropriate.

For eligible patients, the Medicare Hospice Benefit generally covers hospice services, medications, medical equipment and supplies related to the terminal diagnosis and conditions contributing to it. Coverage is subject to eligibility, election of the hospice benefit and the individual plan of care.

A hospice volunteer is a specially-trained individual who provides assistance to patients, their families and those experiencing grief. There is an extensive training program that prepares our volunteers to provide support and companionship to patients and families.

We also provide complementary therapies upon request or as recommended by the physician.