We recognize that spending your days in an uncomfortable hospital bed hooked up to dozens of machines is no way to enjoy the time you have left. If you’ve decided to discontinue your medical treatments, we’re always here for you.
When someone has a life-limiting illness, it can be hard emotionally and spiritually in addition to physically. Hospice care is built around giving you support on all fronts, which includes being there for you and your family during this trying time.
Do not feel like you are shirking your responsibilities or betraying your family when seeking hospice care for a family member. This is a very difficult time and in many cases outside assistance is the most therapeutic approach for everyone involved.
Hospice care isn’t just for the patient. The whole goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life for the patient, their family, and any caregivers. They’ll be able to provide the physical and emotional support that you need.
During hospice care, the patient is not the only one receiving care. Family members are also part of the hospice team’s circle of concern. They are trained to identify and help anyone who is struggling and in any kind of pain during this time.
Since 2006, the American Board of Medical Specialties has recognized hospice care as a distinct specialty. Today, many nursing and medical schools offer dedicated programs for doctors, nurses, and counselors committed to providing the finest end-stage care.
Health care aides play an extremely important role in hospice care. They provide direct personal services to the patient, help monitor pain and comfort levels, and alert the team if care requirements change.
Hospice care does not hasten death, nor does it postpone it. The aim is to improve the quality of remaining life of the patient so that they can enjoy time with family and friends, pain-free.
Please remember that there’s no shame in not being able to take care of all the needs of a terminally ill family member at home. Hospice care can provide your loved one with all the medical care they need without forcing them to go back into the hospital.
Unfortunately, the final stages of some types of illnesses and diseases can bring significant pain. While hospice care focuses quite a bit on your emotional and spiritual comfort, we’re still able to provide the medication and pain management that you need to stay physically comfortable.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many people to provide end of life care for their family members. When you need to ensure your loved one is receiving the quality care they deserve, we’re here for you.
In 2005, the memorial fund established by the Spencer family in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales collaborated with the Franklin Mint. Together, they awarded $3.35 million to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to support better end-stage care.
Be certain to check with your insurance, but hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and a significant number of private insurance companies. Your insurer may have some restrictions on where hospice care can be delivered – whether at home or in a hospital or nursing home setting.
It’s important to remember that you’re still in control of your final medical decisions when you enter hospice care. We can discuss any advanced directives you may have to ensure your wishes are honored.
Do you ever worry that even with the constant support of a skilled caregiver that your loved one may not be as comfortable at home as you’d like? When the concern is comfort rather than a cure, we’re always available to help.
"What was the most common cause of death in hospice cases?" According to a 2013 hospice industry report, about 37 percent of all hospice cases involved some type of cancer. Of the 66 percent that did not, dementia, 15 percent and heart disease, at nearly 14 percent, were the most common causes of death.
An important part of our hospice offerings involves our trained volunteer support. Here, caring individuals will be available to listen and offer support while assisting with such household tasks as shopping and babysitting.
Hospice care has many benefits. It is patient- focused, meaning it helps patients manage the stress and burden of a serious illness. It also manages pain and symptoms so patients can focus on being with loved ones.
Just because you have an illness or condition that’s life-limiting doesn’t mean that you have to give up and stop enjoying your life. Hospice care is designed specifically to help those with life-limiting illnesses to live as full a life as possible.
Both in-home and residential hospice programs provide end-stage care for individuals and emotional support services for families and loved ones. Compassion, comfort, and quality of life are the central objectives of all hospice programs.
We recognize how difficult it can be for family members to try to take care of a terminally ill loved one at home. When it’s not possible to stay home from work to provide care for them, hospice care can give them access to all the care and medical treatment they need without keeping them in the hospital.
There are many ways to contribute to hospice care centers. Often, patients need assistance with landscaping, upkeep on their property, and monetary donations for the patients that may not be able to afford their entire stay.
