FILM OVERVIEW

The word “hospice” derives from the Latin word hospes, which means both “guest” and “host.” The first hospices are believed to have been established during the Crusades around the 11th century.

Today’s usage of hospice as a place for end-of-life care began with the work of a British physician, nurse, social worker, and writer, Dame Cicely Saunders. Dr. Saunders began working with terminally ill patients in London in 1948. In 1963, during a talk at Yale University in the U.S., Saunders introduced the idea of specialized care for those who are dying, which focuses on palliative care rather than treatments to cure.

When we hear the word hospice, we typically think about the very last moments of life and perhaps feel a sense of discomfort and fear. Often, people get the impression that once they or their loved one enters hospice, they will very soon be gone and uncomfortable in the process.

In this special one-hour PBS documentary film, we will investigate the myths of hospice and bring a better understanding of what hospice care is really about. We will step into the daily lives of those who care for our loved ones as they transition from the life they have lived and unpack those negative connotations that hospice holds.

With the support of the NorthStar Care Community – the parent of Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice – not-for-profit hospice agencies, Emmy Award winning Director and Producer Keith Famie and the team from Visionalist Entertainment Productions will take the audience on an in-depth look at how hospice has historically changed the way we approach caring for those who are dying in today's society. How does hospice differ from palliative care? What is the standard time frame someone has for hospice care? How does this affect the families of loved ones? Step into the lives of Michigan residents, as well as Santa Cruz, California and Savannah, Georgia residents as we explore these questions and find out what these three locations all have in common.

These are just a few of the subjects we will address as we meet with those on the front lines of hospice care, including aides, nurses, doctors, social workers, spiritual caregivers, volunteers, and of course, patients and their families.