No one ever wants to think about death, much less plan for it. But the fact is, most of us will face end-of-life care at some point in our lives. If you’re nearing the end of your life, or you have a loved one who is, it’s important to understand the different types of hospice care available.
There are many options, and the right type of care can make all the difference in quality of life during those last days. Here’s what you need to know.
Caring for a parent or a loved one, especially when they require more care than you can provide during the approach to the end of their life, may be overwhelming.
Exploring the option of hospice care may provide an understanding and peace in the hearts of those who have acknowledged the need for full-time assistance for their parent/s or relative/s who deserve the very best in their last days.
What is Hospice care and why would it be needed?
Hospice care is care that includes ensuring that a terminally ill person is made comfortable and can enjoy a quality of life towards the end of life.
It is often the case, that relatives or spouses of an elderly or terminally ill person approaching the end of their life, are no longer able to adequately care for their needs.
When the elderly person requires assistance in being made comfortable and enjoying a good quality of life in their last days, hospice is a perfect solution.
Hospice care is the provision of medical, spiritual, and practical counsel and assistance by a team of Hospice Care workers and usually include :
- A nurse
- A social worker
- A hospital aide
- A bereavement specialist
- A volunteer
- A physician
- Religious or spiritual counselor
This team ensures that the needs of every patient are well provided for as they approach the end of their lives.
Types of hospice care available
Hospice care is divided into three categories, which focus on the specific needs of the individual.
These are :
- Hospital-Based
- Inpatient Care
- Outpatient Care
While each involves care by another individual, the degrees of care vary.
Services offered by hospice teams
While the services of each hospice care facility may differ, it is often that the following services are offered:
- Nursing Services include a nurse who manages the day-to-day care of a patient as well as 24-hour nursing availability.
- Physician Consultation includes a medical professional who, with the medical director, will address and treat any patient ailments.
- Medical Social Services, which will assist the patient with any social or emotional requirements.
- Counseling services including that of dietary services, pastoral or spiritual support as well as bereavement counseling for the family after the passing of a patient.
- Home-health Aide assists with outpatient care where necessary.
- Medication is offered for alleviation of any pain or discomfort of patients.
- Medical Equipment refers to all necessary physical tools to ensure correct and proper caregiving to patients.
- Respite care offers assistance to current caregivers to allow them relief during long-term care of a loved one.
The difference between medical and spiritual support
Medical support in hospice includes the physical medical assistance of the individual in care. That they are made to feel physically comfortable using medication.
Spiritual support in hospice includes the spiritual counsel of an individual. The goal of spiritual counsel is to ensure that the patient feels comfort and peace within themself as they approach the end of their days.
Who can provide hospice services – doctors vs nurses vs social workers
Hospice services are provided by a team of professionals to ensure that all of the patients’ needs are met and that they are made to feel comfortable and at peace while approaching the end of their lives.
Doctors will provide an exclusively medical service and direct the team of nurses in terms of medication to be administered along with the dosages and recommendations for physical care.
Nurses execute the orders from the Medical Doctors in a professional and caring manner, to ensure that the patient is made to feel comfortable in hospice.
Nurses also ensure that patients are made to feel physically comfortable in terms of being washed, groomed, fed, and pain-free.
Social workers have the responsibility of ensuring that the patient’s emotional needs are met.
Often times in the chaos of being cared for, an elderly or terminally ill individual in hospice may not properly understand or be able to comprehend all that which is happening around them.
It is the role of the social worker to ensure that any emotional concerns are addressed and that the individual feels secure and informed of the position they are in.
How to find a good team for your loved one’s needs
- Look for a facility that offers a team of professional and qualified service providers. Ensure that they are certified and can provide the care required.
- Ask which services are provided to be sure that the services offered are what is required by the patient.
- Ask the facility if they can provide certain services to the family. This can be a respite, bereavement counseling, or whether they offer a volunteer service where errands may be run or light duties could be performed.
- Ensure that you take and keep notes of all the facilities you have met with and carefully assess which would be the best fit.
- Ask for references or feedback from their current patients or their relatives for their experience of the service and care offered.
By contacting us at Options for Senior Living, we can source and present potential facilities for your loved ones in the most precious last months of their lives.
We take great care in sifting through all facilities which qualify for the needs of your loved ones so that they may be well cared for in every possible way.
Hospice care is a type of medical care that focuses on providing comfort to patients who are terminally ill.
It can take many forms, but in general, hospice services typically include pain management and emotional support for the patient and their family members.
If you or someone you love needs this kind of help, contact us. Our team will work closely with you to design an individualized plan that meets all of your needs. You deserve quality end-of-life care from people who truly understand how hard it is for families during these tough times.
Contact Options For Senior Living
Here at Options For Senior Living, we offer advice, guidance, senior living options, and local resources based on your unique needs.
We have over 18 years of hyper-localized expertise in Arizona and Georgia’s best-rated senior community resources. Let us help ease the burden of stress that comes with finding the right community for your senior’s next chapter.
