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Delaying Hospice Care Can Create Depression Among
Survivors
Dec. 9, 2004 - Delaying the decision to place a
loved one in hospice care can result in depression for family members
after the death of the loved one, says a study by Yale researchers
published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
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Almost One Million Dying Received Hospice Care Last
Year: New Record
Nov.
3, 2004 It was announced today that America set a new record in the
number of dying who received hospice care. The announcement, marking the
26th anniversary of National Hospice Month this November by the National
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, said 950,000 received care
from the nations 3,300 hospice providers in 2003.
More... 11/03/04*
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The study followed over 200 family caregivers from
the patient's first enrollment with hospice, through their death, and
then for six months after the death. The team studied the impact of
hospice use on family well-being after the patient's death.
"We found that shorter hospice enrollment was
linked to elevated depression among family caregivers, who are often the
spouse or daughter of the deceased," said lead author Elizabeth Bradley,
associate professor of public health at Yale School of Medicine.
"The finding is particularly troublesome because
nationally the length of hospice enrollment has been declining, with
more patients enrolling only in the last week or days of life. This is
the first study to examine the impact of that trend on families' well
being, and it looks like the impact is significant."
"It is often difficult to discuss, plan for, and
then enroll with hospice, especially if the family is not fully aware of
and accepting the patient's prognosis," said Emily Cherlin, co-author
and research associate at Yale. "But the study reveals the importance of
thinking about hospice earlier in the course of an illness.
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The inadequate preparation for the death, including delays in seeking
and receiving appropriate hospice care can measurably compromise
post-loss adjustment, according to the study.
The study was sponsored by the Nathan Cummings
Foundation, The John D. Thompson Hospice Institute for Education,
Training and Research and the Donaghue Medical Research Foundation.
Other co-authors include Holly Prigerson, Stanislav Kasl and Melissa
Carlson of Yale; and Rosemary Johnson-Huzerler of the Connecticut
Hospice.
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