Cascade Memorial Blog

Henry Elliott was the perfect candidate for hospice care, but, like many Americans, he was unaware of its benefits. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992, he underwent a series of treatments to help manage his disease. He did well for more than 15 years, but stopped, according to his wife, Marjorie, when the treatments became less effective and more taxing. His situation took a turn for the worse when he began suffering from intense pain and couldn’t reach his doctor. Although the Elliotts were familiar with hospice, it took a family member’s intervention to get them to choose it. Once they did, Henry’s quality of life improved dramatically.

“Many people are confused about what hospice means,” said Jane Lincoln, a health educator at AARP. “Hospice is a concept of care, not a place.” Viewed as a team approach to caregiving, hospice involves nurses, social workers, home health aides, and even chaplains, all on call to administer care to patients and their families. Individuals are typically referred to hospice when they have a life-limiting illness or injury and are expected to live no longer than six months.