I. Introduction: The Historical Roots of Hospice
In Homeric times (8th century B.C.), all Greeks without exception were regarded as being under the protection of Zeus Xenios, the god of strangers and supplicants. A wanderer would be treated as a guest and offered food, shelter, clothing, and gifts. Violation of the duties of hospitality were likely to provoke the wrath of the gods. (Forman and Kitzes, et. 2003). Patients who were not cured by an itinerant physician, the iatros, could be cared for at a temple to Aesculepius, the god …show more content…
The term is used to refer to the system or program by which health care is made available to the population and financed by government, private enterprise, or both. The elements of a health care system embrace the following: (1) personal health care services for individuals and families, available at hospitals, clinics, neighborhood centers, and similar agencies, in physicians ' offices, and in the clients ' own homes; (2) the public health services needed to maintain a healthy environment, such as control of water and food supplies, regulation of drugs, and safety regulations intended to protect a given population; (3) teaching and research activities related to the prevention, detection, and treatment of disease; and (4) third party (health insurance) coverage of system …show more content…
In the future, we hope Medicare eligibility rules for Palliative/Hospice will no longer require patients to “give up” their curative care benefits to access the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The need with the demands for these services, all depends on government funding. Without government funding, people that approach their end-of-life journey, will be forced to remain part of the healthcare system until death. These individuals and their families, will continue to have a substantial financial burden