Final answer:
Hospice care in the United States assists terminally ill patients to die with dignity, often at home, and provides crucial support for both the patients and their families. Currently serving over 1.65 million Americans, hospice care ensures comfort and quality of life as society's views on death and dying continue to evolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hospice Care in the United States
Hospice care in the United States has evolved to provide terminally ill patients with dignity and comfort in their final days. Highlighting the work of Cicely Saunders in England, Florence Wald brought the hospice movement to the U.S. in 1974. Now, hospice care is available to over 1.65 million Americans, allowing many to spend their last days at home surrounded by family. Research shows that hospice patients and their families experience high levels of satisfaction due to the compassionate care they receive, which includes pain management, emotional support, and a reduction in the burden of care for families. In addition, hospice services can lead to longer life expectancies for patients compared to non-hospice patients and provide integral family and social support.
As society's perspective on death changes, the benefits of hospice care align with many individuals' preference to pass away in familiar and peaceful settings, as opposed to in hospitals. While some cultural and demographic groups in the U.S. are more inclined to care for elderly relatives at home, hospice care offers a valuable option for those who cannot provide such care due to employment or financial constraints. The provision of hospice services reflects our social responsibility to offer end-of-life care that aligns with patient and family wishes, balancing this with other life responsibilities as our population ages and medical technologies advance.