5 things to do If your Loved One Refuses Hospice Care

Starting a talk about hospice with a terminally ill loved one might be challenging. It is not uncommon for individuals to shut off the conversation and fight the concept of transferring to hospice care at this point in their journey. Many people are resistant to shifting to hospice because they have misconceptions about what hospice is. While hospice has a reputation for being cold and forlorn, nothing could be further from the truth; hospice provides holistic care to patients and family members throughout the patient's end-of-life journey.

1.  Listen to Their Concerns

Even if your loved one is aware of their deteriorating health, it may be difficult for them to give up hope for a cure. If they are unsure about their future steps after receiving a terminal diagnosis, kindly inquire about their end-of-life journey. Begin by asking, "What does a good day look like for you?" or "When do you want to shift from trying to find treatments to trying to enjoy life as much as possible?" Allow for whatever emotions arise and use this opportunity to validate what they're feeling. Now is the moment to offer emotional support while they figure out how to deal with this scenario.

2.  Ask Them What Hospice Means to Them

Understanding what hospice means to your loved one will help you understand why they may be reluctant to hospice treatment. Some people associate hospice with death or being bedridden in a facility. Investigating the stigmas individuals have about hospice will help you understand what motivates their opposition.

3. Provide Them with Information They Might Be Missing

After hearing your loved one's concerns about hospice, you can present them with information that addresses their unique issues. If cost is an issue, inform them that hospice is a quality-of-life program that is fully funded by Medicare, which means that medication, medical supplies, medical attention, and other services will be provided at no cost to the individual. Many people mistake hospice for a physical location, but hospice care is provided wherever your loved one resides: their home, the home of a family member, an assisted living facility, and so forth. They will receive medical assistance, emotional support, and everything else required to manage their sickness holistically while retaining their autonomy.

4. Connect With Hospice Professionals to Gather More Information

Speak with a Sahara Hospice Care practitioner to gain a better understanding of what hospice will entail for your loved one. Our skilled team can answer any questions your loved one may have about hospice and the decisions they want to make about their end-of-life care. As a family carer, you can also get answers to your questions regarding hospice care because we view both the patient and their family as part of our unit of care.

5. Consider Other Options

If your loved one is having difficulty deciding whether or not to get hospice care, palliative care is an excellent alternative because it provides the same benefits as hospice while patients continue curative treatments.

Offering in-home hospice care, palliative care, respite care, in-patient services, and grief counseling, we take a holistic approach to serve patients’ needs in difficult times and help transform their lives for good.