Posted: 11/16/2022 10:13 AM by
Interim HealthCare
When you have limited time left with a loved one, you may face some tough choices. It can be difficult to know which path you should take. If you feel that it’s time to allow them to live the rest of their life in a familiar and comforting environment at home, it may be time to consider hospice care.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a compassionate, patient-centered approach to medical care and support for people who are at their end-of-life. Hospice is based on a philosophy of improving the quality of life when the quantity of time is limited. Hospice care can provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients, as well as to those who love and care for them.
If you’ve never had experience with hospice care, you may have a lot of questions. It’s important to know that your hospice team will be with you every step of the way. To take the first step, learn more about why hospice could be the right fit for your loved one and your family.
Reason #1: Hospice has specific goals for your loved one and your family.
First, you should know that the goals of hospice care may differ from those of your loved one in a hospital or clinical setting. This can be a good thing in this situation.
A few of the goals your hospice team wants for your loved one and your family include:
- Caring for the whole person, not just the disease.
- Addressing your physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
- Focusing on you and your family.
- Providing the best possible quality of life for whatever time remains.
Reason #2: Hospice care can be provided in a familiar environment.
If you’ve ever spent time as a patient in a hospital, you know that you rest better and generally feel more comfortable in your own bed or home. This is no different for a hospice patient. Although hospice patients may no longer be receiving active treatment, they do require clinical care, which can easily be provided at home when they are under hospice care. When your loved one is comfortable, you and your family will be, too.
Reason #3: Hospice professionals are on-call 24 hours a day.
This is a huge benefit to families caring for their loved ones at the end of their life. The personalized support and care provided by hospice professionals allow the family to rest in between visits and also help to ease family anxiety. Knowing that you have access to a caring professional at any hour can allow you and your family to focus on spending precious time with your loved one.
Reason #4: Hospice respects your loved one’s wishes.
If your loved one has been vocal about their wishes for end-of-life care, you can be sure that hospice services will respect those wishes and provide them the dignity that everyone deserves at the end of their life. Some patients may want certain measures taken as their disease or illness progresses. No matter what those wishes are – hospice providers are always on the patient’s side.
Reason #5: Hospice lessens the financial burden of care.
The absolute last thing families should have to worry about at the end of life is how they will pay for the care their loved one needs. It may be hard to believe, but hospice care can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs when compared to the bills you would receive from a hospital. Hospice services are usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or Veterans Affairs.
Reason #6: Hospice treats the emotional aspect of end-of-life care.
One of the great benefits of hospice care is the access you have to a multidisciplinary team of clinical caregivers, chaplains/spiritual counselors, therapists and bereavement specialists.
Aside from the physical health of your loved one, family counseling, guidance and support are necessary pieces of the puzzle. Hospice can help families deal with the range of emotions that commonly occur during this difficult time.
Could your loved one benefit from hospice care? Interim is here for you.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward hospice care for your loved one, consider reaching out to Interim HealthCare. Our hospice services offer a full range of care and support that are delivered by highly qualified professionals who share the same commitment to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of clients and those who love and care for them.
Visit our hospice resource page to learn more.
