Choices for End-of-Life Caregiving
Choices for End-of-Life Caregiving
There are many decisions to be made when imminent death is approaching for a loved one. Questions regarding what type of care, medical assistance and even physical location for their last days confront us.
If care at home has been given, should loved ones be moved to a facility or remain at home? If in a care facility should they be moved home for their last days? Will 24-hour care become necessary and more medical assistance be required?
If you are asking these questions, a Hospice service might be a good solution. Hospice can be provided to a person who has a life-limiting illness wherever that person lives. A nursing facility or long-term care facility can receive visits from hospice personnel in addition to the other care and services provided by the facility.
Hospice care is a special way of caring for a patient who is in the last stages of life. Hospice provides a team of professionals who aid the patient and family caregivers. This could include nurses, social workers, physicians, clergy and aides who all work together to plan and coordinate care, 24 hours a day or as needed.
The Hospice Foundation of America Outlines the following services of hospice:
Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity.
Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient’s pain and discomfort.
Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient’s family and friends.
Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after patient’s’ death.
To be eligible for hospice a physician must certify the patient to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less and treatment for a cure is no longer provided.
The focus for the patient has changed to supportive care and quality of remaining life.
Hospice is paid for by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit.