Hospice care is specialist palliative care that provides physical comfort and emotional, social and spiritual support for people nearing the end of life. It is not about giving up and doing nothing.
This short clip gives you an overview of hospice services.
Palliative care is for people whose illness is terminal and no longer curable. The goal is around providing quality of life, managing pain and symptoms to enable people to live every moment in whatever way is important to them. Whilst physical needs like managing pain and symptoms are a priority, equal importance is placed on cultural, emotional, spiritual, and social needs as the end of life approaches.
Hospice palliative care is for patients and their whānau as well, both before and after a person's death.
Find a hospice near you or a loved one with our map of all hospices throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Find your local hospice
The services offered will differ from hospice to hospice but are likely to include:
There are two main ways to be referred to hospice for support – through a health care provider (hospital team, GP, aged care facility) or self referral.
Talk to your health care provider or care team or contact your local hospice service directly or on behalf of your loved one or friend to find out more about the referral criteria in your location.
Hospice care and support is completely free of charge for patients and whanau using our services.
Hospice services receive only half of their funding from central government. Last year, it cost $226 million to run the country’s hospice services, but the government only provided $114 million. Hospices raised $112 million from community donations, fundraising, and other sources in order to keep services free for everyone.
Most often, people are referred to hospice when their illness is no longer curable, has entered a terminal phase, and requires the support of a specialist palliative care service. In some circumstances people may be referred whilst still undergoing treatment – e.g. radiotherapy for symptom management. It is important to talk to your key health care provider about the options available, including hospice care.
Many people feel fearful of accepting a referral to hospice as they view it as the “end of the road.” However in most cases, people wish they had become involved with hospice sooner.
End of life care does not mean doing nothing and just letting someone die, it is not about “giving up.” Stopping a treatment does not mean no treatment, palliative care is active total care
Hospices can provide care and support for people living with a life limiting condition. People with life limiting conditions such as multiple sclerosis, respiratory disease, motor neurone disease or dementia also benefit from palliative care.
