title: Initiating hospice care. Why, when, and how.
abstract: Hospice services are under utilized for a variety of reasons, even though such services are efficacious not only for the dying patient, but also for the family. Home healthcare nurses are well placed to encourage hospice-appropriate clients to accept hospice care. The nature and advantages of hospice care are described, and obstacles to its acceptance are identified. Case studies illustrate why, when, and how to initiate hospice care, and strategies are outlined to help home healthcare nurses to promote the timely use of hospice care.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Christie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation