It's been forty years since St. Christopher's Hospice – the first modern hospice – opened in a suburb of London. Since then, millions of people around the world have chosen hospice at the end of their lives, with many patients choosing to receive care in their homes.
Over the course of eight months, team Long Haul followed two hospice volunteers through their training and first assignments in patients' homes. Trained to provide "respite care," the volunteers set out to give family members a break from their caretaking responsibilities. And while one has a chance to reflect on her patient's life in a intimate setting, another gets to explore death in a rather unexpected way – a way that training never could have prepared him for.
Hospice Chronicles was produced by Dan Collison of Long Haul Productions. Hospice Chronicles was produced by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister of Long Haul Productions. Hospice Chronicles was produced by Elizabeth Meister of Long Haul Productions.
Links:
Hospice Foundation of America
Hospice Foundation of America provides leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care with the goal of enhancing the American health care system and the role of hospice within it.
Hospice
Hospice Services, Make a Donation, Find a Local Hospice, Frequently Asked Questions, The Hospice Concept, What Questions Should I Ask About Hospice Care.
Books:
Hospice and Palliative Care: Concepts and Practice by: Denice C. Sheehan, Walter B. Forman 2003 An overlook of the theoretical prespective and practical information about the growing field of hospice.
Midwife for Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying by: Kathy Kalina 2007 This classic work on the spirituality of caring for the dying is now expanded with moving stories and lessons gleaned from the author's experience as a hospice nurse.
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