The History of Hospice

The history of hospice may date back to the medieval times when shelters gave hospitality to travelers who needed assistance and had nowhere to stay, mostly religious people who made a long trip. The Latin root of the word is hospitium, meaning guesthouse. In English, it will translate to hospitality, later to the term hospice. However, these are the rough roots of the term in general, but it wasn't until 1960 that the modern interpretation of hospice originated.

The history of the modern interpretation of hospice dates back to 1960, when the British Dr. Dame Cicely Saunders established the first modern hospice in London, named St. Christopher's Hospice. In the United States, the first hospice appeared in New Haven Connecticut in 1974. The philosophy of Dr. Cicely Saunders is still practiced today - to care for the person until the end while facilitating a peaceful death, but helping the person live well during the time of hospice. Along with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, she focused on understanding the subject of dying, and they viewed the individual as unique, with rights and deserving respect and care until the end.

Dr. Cicely Saunders was actively working with terminal patients since the 1940s. After being inspired by one of her patients, she decided to start the hospice movement. She taught at Yale University in Connecticut in 1964 focusing on her experiences with dying patients and the importance of pain management. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross published her first book - On Death and Dying - a book that became very popular, identifying the five stages a person goes before dying. Following the first hospice in CT in 1974, was the opening of the Yale Medical Center Hospice inpatient program, and later, the hospice program of Maurin County in California. At the end of this decade, demonstrations of hospice projects throughout the country were supported by the Health Care Financing Administration. After that, hospice programs began to appear in several areas of Michigan, and by 1980 Congress authorized Medicare coverage for it and by the mid eighties Medicare coverage was made permanent. Today, in some states, there is Medicaid coverage as well. This legislation made possible that the hospice movement began spreading across the United States. From volunteer organizations, they evolved to companies that provide health care staff. Today you can find hospice programs in hospital, private companies, non-profit organizations, and independent organizations as well.

How is it Determined that a Person May Need Hospice Care?

After a physician determines that a person may have less than six months to live, he/she will make a referral for hospice care. Hospice services may be provided at home, hospital, or at a nursing facility. Much will depend on the patient's condition. A couple of initial meetings between the doctor, hospice staff, family, and the patient are necessary to come up with a care plan that will continue to be adjusted during the hospice time. All areas of the patient care, comfort, necessary equipment, and medications will be addressed, and the care plan will include counseling and support for the family as well. When the patient dies, the family can receive hospice counseling for a full year. For more information on this topic visit lewiscountyhospice.org.