Hospice and Reiki: Benefits the patient, family and caregivers

What is hospice? Hospice is a program that provides holistic care to a terminally ill patient and the necessary support to their families. Terminal illness is a disease process that cannot be effectively treated, or cured with the use of conventional medicine. Terminal illness causes a decline in health that ends in death. Hospice provides the patient with comfort, quality of life and death with dignity. The support extends to the family through respite care, volunteers and bereavement support. Hospice should be available once a diagnosis of terminal illness is made, or the patient decides they no longer want to pursue medical or surgical therapies. Hospice may be utilized by patients who have end stage organ disease or cancer. Often times hospice is not utilized or a referral is made so close to the end of life the patient and family cannot receive the full benefit of this wonderful program.

Reiki provides comfort to patients and families as well. This comfort is achieved through relaxation, improved sense of wellbeing and relief of tension/discomfort. Full Circle Complementary Therapy does not provide hospice services. However we are honored to participate in the care of hospice patients and their families/caregivers through a contract with the McKean County VNA/Hospice. A department of the Bradford Regional Medical Center. Hospice patients have reported using less break through, or "as needed" pain medicine following Reiki sessions. Improved sleep and decreased anxiety. Families of patients have reported feeling more relaxed or renewed after receiving Reiki. Sometimes the patient does not want to have Reiki, but the families/caregivers are eligible for sessions through hospice. There is no charge to the patient or the patients family for one of our certified Reiki practitioners to provide Reiki in the comfort of your own home. This service is covered by the Hospice program.

The dying process is natural in the progression of life. This process does not have to be painful. Reiki complements Hospice by providing comfort and stress reduction to the patient and family. You can call our office for more information regarding Hospice or Reiki or call the McKean County VNA: 1-800-342-5862. You can also visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's website: www.nho.org for more information.