How to Find Hospice Care for Skin Cancer Patients

While success rates for treating various types of skin cancer, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are among the highest in the medical world, thousands of terminal cases are still diagnosed each year. Hospices are facilities that care for terminally ill patients, and allow for a dignified and comfortable existence during this potentially traumatic time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Oncologist or dermatologist

Discuss Your Needs for a Hospice

1. Consult with your oncologist or dermatologist regarding your needs for a hospice, and what you will need to feel comfortable.
2. Meet with your family and loved ones to decide whether hospice care is needed in your particular situation. Many terminally ill patients find, after talking with their families, that they can receive the care required while remaining at home.

Finding Hospice Care That Fits Your Needs

3. Discuss with your doctor the specific level of care you will need from your hospice. Ask for specific recommendations for hospices that can meet those needs.
4. Log onto the Web sites for the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute (see Resources below). Both contain listings for hospices in your area, and will help you find a hospice that is designed specifically for the needs of skin cancer patients.
5. Meet with a representative of the hospice, and ask specific questions about concerns or special needs that you will have.
6. Ask your oncologist or dermatologist to consult with the hospice to determine whether they will be able to provide the best service to you.
7. Schedule follow-up visits with your doctor and thoroughly discuss how the hospice is performing, and whether they are suppling you with everything you need to be comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• According the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, patients should always be aware of their rights, and the legal rights of their families and loved ones, to participate actively in all treatment decisions, and to be informed by their healthcare team of all treatment options.
• Being diagnosed with a terminal case of skin cancer can be emotionally and psychologically traumatic. Discuss with your oncologist or dermatologist all of the treatments that can be used to help you cope, including counseling, support groups and prescription medications such as anti-depressants.