Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss Hospice and Palliative Care with Chris Fankhouser, director of Hospice & Palliative Care, Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.

Hospice care is not just a place to go to die. Across the United States, over 5,500 hospices provide medical services for pain management, lend emotional support and offer spiritual resources and therapies as patients enter their last stage of life.  Some interesting facts about hospice care:

·      Cancer is the largest category for hospice diagnosis, accounting for 37 percent of patients. 

·      Over 65 percent of patients’ pain was brought to a comfortable level within 48 hours of admission and assessment.

·      Over 70 percent of families would rate their hospice care for their loved one as excellent.

·      While hospice care is being used more often, many families wished they had placed their loved one in the care of a provider sooner so their loved one could be more comfortable during their last days. Over 60 percent of patients only received care for 29 days.

Please join us as we honor and celebrate these tireless workers who provide an invaluable service and make a difference every day in the lives of the patients and families they serve.This morning we will talk with Chris to learn more about these services and how you can receive care when it is needed most.

In this episode you will learn answers to:

1. What is Hospice Care?

2. Who is Hospice Care Appropriate for?

3. Who decides a patient should go on Hospice?

4. What services are provided by Mercy Hospice?

5. Who is on the Hospice Care Team?

6. What if the patient’s condition improves, can they go on and off Hospice Care as needed?

7. Is Hospice Care covered by insurance?

8. Does Mercy Hospice provide bereavement programs for caregivers?

9. What are the requirements for volunteers at Mercy Hospice?

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, Studio Arts & Glass, Jenior Appraisals and LIquidations. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.