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Hospice California
In the state of California, as in most states now, one hears more and more often of the term hospice. Hospice would probably be best described as an approach to end of life care given with compassion. Some would say that rather than being about how you die, hospice is more related in how you choose to live out your final days. The word hospice is actually derived from the word 'hospitality' that would involve offering rest and comfort to traveler who may find himself sick or weary on the long journey home. Hospice became a staple of home health care in the 1970's and there are now thousands of Hospice and Palliative Care organizations operating in the United States. It is true that the benefits of hospice are normally offered to those who have an expected life expectancy of approximately six months. Hospice of California offers specialized care for the dying and in doing so offers them the ability to live out their final days with grace and dignity as well as pain and symptom relief. Hospice is not a place but more a concept of care. The hospice attendant will see not only to the physical needs of their patients but to the emotional and spiritual needs as well. There are no age restrictions involved with hospice. Anyone in the last stages of life are eligible to make use of what it offers. A doctor will first set up and approve the plan of care for each individual. The hospice worker of California will then work with the entire hospice team including a hospice medical director, the physician, and the patient to be a constant resource and consultant to the patient. Spiritual counselors or a clergyman of one's choice will be made available. These individuals will help the patient in regard to their feelings about death, bidding goodbye to loved ones, attending to any unfinished business, or arranging for religious ceremonies and rites. Home health aides will see to personal care like bathing and shaving. Hospice volunteers provide invaluable services such as shopping, babysitting, or simply sitting with the patient to give the home caregiver a respite form their duties. Anyone wishing to become a hospice social worker in California will usually need to obtain a degree in social work and pass a licensing exam. A qualified hospice social worker has been specifically trained in the aspects of their job. Dealing on a daily basis with the feelings of loss and bereavement can play its toll on the hospice social worker.
With the passing of a client, the social worker is expected to give grief counseling to the family and dealing with these situations can afford the social worker undue stress if he/she is not properly trained in bereavement counseling. If you should ever find yourself in need of hospice in California, please avail yourself of the services of http://www.AAATLC.com. This site will provide you with all the information you would ever need in regard to hospice and its affiliated programs.
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