Health Happenings is a biweekly column published in Alamogordo Daily News as a way to provide the latest in health and wellness information, services and events. Articles for this column are submitted by Health Council partners, but do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Otero County Community Health Council.
Alamogordo Home Care & Hospice
End of Life – what exactly does that mean . . . The time at the end of life is different for each person. Each individual has unique needs for information and support. The patient's and family's questions and concerns about the end of life should be discussed with the health care team as they arise.
When a patient's health care team determines that a patient has reached a place in their disease where curative treatment is no longer an option, end of life care, palliative, and not curative measures are taken to focus on making the patient comfortable.
The patient receives medication to control pain and other symptoms. Most patients remain at home during this time, while others enter a hospital or other facility. Either way, services are available to help patients and their families with the medical, psychological, and spiritual issues surrounding dying. A hospice often provides such services.
Hospice provides comfort and support to persons in the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may live as comfortably and fully as possible. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last months by offering comfort, dignity and care in a familiar setting. Hospice recognizes that the dying process is a part of the normal process of living and focuses on enhancing the quality of remaining life.
Hospice offers comfort care to all terminally ill patients and support to those patients and their families without regard for diagnosis, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, race, creed, disability, age, place of residence or ability to pay.
Hospice Services Include:
• Routine Home Care
• Pain and Symptom Management
• Emotional and Spiritual Support
• Home Health Aides and Trained Volunteers
• Medications, Equipment and Supplies
• Grief Support for Loved Ones
Services are provided:
• In The Home
• In The Hospital
• In Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities
• In Private Care Homes
Hospice Services Include:
• Follow-up for 13 Months
• Patient and Family Counseling
• Counseling for Children
• Quarterly Grief Support
• Groups Semi-Annual Memorial Services
• Grief Materials, Articles, and Resources Bereavement Phone Calls Bereavement Letters
For more information on End of Life issues, questions, or concerns please call Alamogordo Home Care and Hospice at (575) 437-3500 or email ahs@wayfarer1.com or visit us online www.alamogordohomecareandhospice.com