Hospice

Hospice Care - Tips for Family Caretakers by Senior-Meals.org

Hospice Care - Tips for Family Caretakers by Senior-Meals.org
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What is Hospice Care?

Everyone hopes to live out their final days free of pain, treated with dignity, love, and understanding. Those who face a terminal illness often wish for their last days to be alert and pain-free. They want to be surrounded by friends, family and loved ones in a familiar environment. Hospice care ensures their wishes are met. 

Hospice care designed to provide comfort to patients and their loved ones when an illness can no longer be treated. Contrary to some beliefs, hospice care does not hasten the end of life. The goals of hospice include:
  • Offering comfort and dignity to both the patient and family
  • Controlling the pain of the patient
  • Offering counseling to families before and after the death of the patient
  • Treating the patient and not treating the disease
  • Removing the focus from length of life and instead, focusing on quality of life
Hospice is offered around-the-clock. The care is provided in hospitals, at the patient's home, in nursing homes and in special hospice centers. Hospice is used when all treatment methods have been exhausted. The majority of hospice care in the United States is in-home hospice with family caregivers. Often, the home caregivers are aided by a home health aide or a hospice nurse. Hospice does not avoid the word "death." Instead, it focuses on death as a natural process that should be treated with dignity and respect. A hospice team may be made up of:
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Psychologists
  • Clergy
  • Social workers
Hospice care services are covered by most private insurance agencies, as well as both Medicare and Medicaid. 
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice Care Services

Hospice dates back to medieval times, when travelers on pilgrimage would stop at designated "Hospices" for food, medical treatment, and lodging. As time passed, these "Hospices" became known as places of rest for travelers who were sick and dying and could go no further. Hospice care service did not become popular in the United States until the late 1970s. Hospice care services include:
  • A team of professionals who work together to care for the patient and family. Each works together to provide support and understanding to the family and patient. 
  • Pain control. The goal is to make patients comfortable, while keeping them alert. Pain and the side effects of medications so the patient has control over his or her life and makes his or her own decisions. 
  • Spiritual care. Spiritual care means different things to different people. Spiritual care may include helping the patient say goodbye to loved ones, helping patients come to terms with dying or helping patients with a specific religious ceremony. This care also extends to the family of the patient.
  • Home care and hospital care. Although the patient may choose to stay within his or her own home, hospice services can help if the patient ever needs to be admitted to the hospital. 
  • Respite care. Respite care is set up by hospice for family caregivers and home caregivers. Respite care offers them time to run any errands and time to rest and relax. 
  • Bereavement care. Hospice offers bereavement counseling to the family both before and after death. 
Hospice at Home

Hospice at home is about making every day count. Hospice at home allows patients the chance to spend their final time in comfortable, familiar surroundings. The care given is provided by the hospice teams listed above and seeks to provide the highest possible care to patients and their families. In addition, Medicare will provide much of the equipment needed for home hospice. Over two-thirds of hospice programs are approved by Medicare. Medicaid and private health insurance will pick up the portion of care that Medicare does not cover. Hospice is not only caring, but it is also affordable. 

To qualify for home hospice in all 50 states, all that is needed is a doctor's certified statement saying the patient is not expected to live longer than six months. 

Palliative Hospice

The term palliative means any care that involves alleviating the symptoms and pain. Hospice is palliative care for the dying. It involves the patient and the family, while traditional palliative care only involves the patient. The goal of palliative hospice is to provide care for all parts of the patient's life, including: 
  • Physical needs
  • Social needs
  • Emotional needs
  • Spiritual needs
There is no restriction by age. Palliative Hospice serves everyone from the elderly to those stricken at a young age with a terminal disease. 

Hospice Nursing

Hospice nursing is provided by trained caregivers. Hospice nursing requires nurses take special courses and be certified in the care of the terminally ill. They are kind and compassionate to the family as well as the patient. 

Hospice Agencies

There are many hospice agencies located within the United States. Hospice Agencies may be found by contacting your local hospital or by going online to:  The National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

Additionally, local Medicaid offices and Medicare offices may have information on any hospice care service covered under their plans. 
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