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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does 'Hospice' mean?
The word "Hospice" describes a philosophy of care although some people think of a building or a place where people go to live out their final days.
What is COHA?
COHA is a non-profit organization that provides emotional, spiritual, social and practical support to people living with a terminal illness and to their families. COHA also provides bereavement support and counseling.
What services are offered?
Hospice Volunteers are available to work with patients in their homes, at Kelowna General Hospital, residential care facilities and at the Douglas Fir Hospice, Cottonwoods Care Centre. Volunteers are matched and assigned one to one to provide support for the person and their family in the home.
Bedside Vigil service is available to support the family of the actively dying person, to offer respite during their own vigilance and to act as a guide for families. Volunteers are on call to provide support where it is needed, at the hospital, in the home or at an extended care facility.
Bereavement support and counseling is offered as well as a Children's Program and an Adult Grief Group. There are no fees for our services.
COHA's Margaret McNeill Library is very extensive. Books, videos and audiotapes can be borrowed, free of charge for a period of three weeks. Volunteers and staff will assist people in finding material that matches their needs.
Who are the Hospice Volunteers?
Compassionate members of the community who are involved because they care. Often, they too have experienced personal loss. Volunteers make a commitment to contribute a minimum of four hours per week for at least one year. They have completed 35 hours of initial education and commit to attending monthly continuing education and support meetings.
How are the volunteers screened and accepted?
Volunteers have been interviewed and have provided written personal references and submitted to a criminal record search whereby no record has been found.
When should a decision about support be made and who should make the decision?
At any time during a life limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of the patient's care options, including hospice. The decision to accept hospice support belongs to the patient.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of volunteer support, or should I ask the question first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their family doctor, the home care nurses, friends, clergy, or other health care professionals.
Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular treatment?
Certainly. If the patients condition improves and the disease is in remission, patients can choose to end their contact with hospice, however many will maintain their relationship while they return to a more normal circumstance.
Who can refer to COHA and what does the process involve?
The patient or family members, the physicians, home care nurses, chaplains, or social workers. The patient must have previously approved the referral. One call to the Hospice Director of Volunteers is all that is required to start the support for the patient/family as needed.
What specific assistance does hospice provide to home-based patients?
Volunteers who have chosen to work one to one with patients are matched to that patient based on demographics, personality and the acceptance of both the patient/family and the volunteer. The volunteers commit to offering support and respite four hours a week, and they are available to the patient at home or in the hospital and will continue to be available to the family after death and throughout bereavement.
Does COHA do anything to make death come sooner?
NO. Hospice does not support Euthanasia.
Is COHA affiliated with any religious organizations?
NO. Hospice respects the individual's personal choices and beliefs. Spiritual needs are left to the individual's spiritual advisor who will be called if the patient or family requests that they be called.
Does COHA provide any help for the family after the person dies?
Yes, the volunteer is committed to providing continued contact and support following the death of a loved one. In addition the bereavement counselor and groups are available as well as the resource materials in the library.
Do COHA Volunteers recommend services?
No. The volunteers will support the patient and family in accessing the appropriate resources.
Is hospice care the same as Palliative Care?
Yes. The term "Hospice Palliative Care" can be used interchangeably, however, hospice services can be delivered long before palliative services are ever required. Hospice support is available at the time of a life limiting diagnosis, often months before palliative care is needed. Palliative care is defined as care when cure is not possible, and is directed toward management of symptoms, usually later in the disease process. Hospice care is available during the life limiting phase and through until the end.
Where does COHA get its financial support?
COHA is a non-profit organization, and a member of the United Way. Hospice relies on fundraising to continue its work, private and corporate donations, bequests, as well as memorial donations.
How can I, or my group learn more about COHA?
Call the Hospice office and arrangements will be made to have a speaker.
I would like to make a donation to Hospice. What should I do?
A donation may be made at the office or through the mail. A tax-deductible receipt will be sent for donations over $10.
How do I become a member and support the work of Hospice?
Individual memberships are $10.00 per year. As a member you will receive a quarterly newsletter and have voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting held annually.
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