What is Hospice?
Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering.
Hospice Prices In South Africa
The average cost of care per patient is approximately R20 000 for Hospice.
Are hospices quality controlled In South Africa?
The Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) is a membership body for hospices and works
with all of the members and partner organizations to advance the palliative care sector in South Africa.
This includes the generation and provision of the STANDARDS FOR PALLIATIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES that are provided free to member organizations and at a fee to anyone else.
Do you have to pay to go into a hospice?
Admission to a Hospice Program is not dependent on the ability to pay for the holistic care that they
provide. However, hospices operate like a business.
They have rent, utility bills, and salaries to
pay. So, whilst hospice care is free for those who are unable to pay for it, hospices do have
expenses to cover and are dependent on funding and donations. Some medical aids do support
palliative care.
Hospices provide holistic (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) care via a multi-disciplinary team of experts to anyone with a life-threatening illness and their families. Palliative care is offered from the point of diagnosis and extends to bereavement support if needed.
Over 90% of the care that HPCA members provide is home-based with a focus on promoting
quality of life. social, psychological, spiritual, and physical support.
How does hospice work in South Africa?
Anyone may refer a patient to hospice – a friend, neighbor, family member, or even the patient themselves. Many people are referred via the medical practitioner or organization treating them.
There will then be an assessment by the hospice to confirm that the patient is in need of palliative care.
What type of patients goes to hospice?
Hospice care is for anyone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Hospice care can be provided for as long as the person’s doctor and hospice care team
certify that the condition remains life-limiting.
How long do hospice patients live?
Palliative care is whole-person care that supports anyone with a life-threatening diagnosis. In
some cases, towards curative and in some cases, through to death.