Avalon Hospice

Although the lungs are internal organs, they filter the air we breathe and thus are exposed to a variety of harmful substances each day. Lung disease is any disorder or disease which impairs the normal functioning of the lungs. Lung disease can result from either long-term or immediate exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, occupational exposures or carcinogenic substances that may trigger tumor growth or cause an immune system defense reaction.

 

There are many types of lung disease including:

 

 

Non-malignant lung disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, it is the only one of the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. that is increasing each year. By the year 2020, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is expected to move into third place. Despite the fact that its incidence is increasing, very few patients with advanced lung disease receive palliative and hospice services at the end of their lives.

 

It is our hope that with targeted disease training programs such as the one we’ve just developed for advanced lung disease, this will raise awareness of the important role that palliative and hospice care can play in relieving these patients of their significant symptom burden as the disease progresses. For patients who are suffering with the many symptoms that advanced lung disease presents, hospice offers palliation of physical, psychological, social and spiritual distress as well as expert symptom control and support for family members and caregivers.

 

All of our hospice caregivers complete this advanced training program which gives them special insight and skill into caring for the patient with advanced lung disease. Specialized programs like this one are just one more way our Hospice provides end-of-life care that addresses the patients’ and families’ every need and exceeds their expectations.