Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center
Home Care, Hospice and Other End of Life Care
American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Advanced Cancer
This web site, www.acponline.org/public/h_care/index.html, is an invaluable tool for caregivers, family, friends and professionals alike. It provides practical information on managing symptoms and pain, when to call the physician, how to care for yourself as the caregiver and handling death. There's also a dedicated area for managing children's issues.
Children's Hospice International
Children's Hospice International (CHI) was founded as a non-profit organization to provide a network of support and care for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. CHI recognizes the right and need for children and their families to choose health care and support whether in their own home, hospital, or hospice care facility. For more information on CHI and how they may help you, visit www.chionline.org or call 800-2-4-CHILD. Web site includes cool links for kids.
Hospice Foundation of America
The Hospice Foundation of America is a not-for-profit organization that provides leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care. Through programs of professional development, research, public education and information, Hospice Foundation of America assists those who cope either personally or professionally with terminal illness, death, and the process of grief. Their web page, www.hospicefoundation.org, provides insights on hospice care, and how to select a hospice and information on managing grief and loss. Through their web site, you can subscribe to their "Journey's" newsletter, packed with a variety of valuable information and articles.
Hospice Net
Hospice Net, located at www.hospicenet.org, is a very comprehensive, user friendly layman's web site on hospice care. The site gives a thorough explanation of what hospice care is and what to expect, answers commonly asked questions asked by patient and caregiver alike, provides links for finding a hospice and questions to ask, and supplies resources on dealing with death and dying. It's an excellent site.
Last Acts
Last Acts is a call-to-action campaign to improve care at the end of life. The organization's goals are to bring death related issues out in the open and help individuals and organizations pursue better ways to care for the dying. Last Acts is more geared toward medical professionals than families, but some valuable resources may be found through the searchable resource guide on their web site located at www.lastacts.org. They may also be contacted by telephone at 703-827-8771.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is dedicated to advancing the philosophy and practice of hospice care to meet the unique needs of each terminally ill person and his or her family and to serve as a voice and resource for its members. Their official web site, www.nhpco.org, contains information on what hospice is as well as how to find an appropriate one. The web site isn't as user friendly as others, and a bit more geared toward medical professionals, but still contains valuable information. To contact the NHPCO by phone call 703-243-5900.
