For those reaching the end of their life, deciding when to begin hospice care can be a difficult decision. In general, it is ideal to begin discussing hospice care before the patient needs it. Many families want to talk about hospice with the patient’s doctor as soon as a terminal diagnosis is made in order to start the preparation process. The sooner this conversation occurs, the more prepared everyone will be when that moment arrives — and the better the patient’s quality of life will be in those final days, weeks, or months.
The Primary Goals of Hospice Care
Hospice care strives to make death as painless and comfortable as possible. Hospice is intended for those who have a terminal illness that shortens their life expectancy and makes daily living duties harder. Because there is no established age limit, hospice services are not limited to the elderly. Hospice care is a sort of comfort care that focuses on intensive pain and symptom management in order to improve the patient’s quality of life. Palliative care services may be available to patients undergoing treatment for a serious illness. Palliative care is similar to hospice in that it provides many of the same services, but it is intended for people who are not quite at the end of their lives but want to pursue treatment options for life-limiting illnesses.
How Hospice Helps Patients and Family Members
Hospice and palliative care offer much-needed relief to family carers who may get overwhelmed by a patient’s care requirements. The hospice or palliative care team coordinates care so that family members can focus on spending quality time with their loved one throughout their final months or years of life. Nurses, doctors, social workers, volunteers, clergy, and physical therapists make up the hospice team. Care is tailored to the patient’s individual health status and personal needs, therefore it may include: · Management of pain and other symptoms
· Assistance with personal hygiene, eating and personal grooming by hospice aides
· Assistance with insurance and funeral paperwork
· Counseling and discussions with clergy members to address emotional and spiritual needs
· Companionship
Who Qualifies for Hospice Care?
Because hospice care is meant for patients with a short life expectancy, eligibility conditions include a life expectancy of six months or less and the discontinuation of curative treatment. Cancer, heart illness, advanced dementia, or COPD are all examples of terminal diagnoses. Someone may also be eligible for hospice treatment if they have had a stroke or have suffered a general deterioration in health over time that is unrelated to a specific disease. Medical therapies that are no longer helpful in curing the disease must be discontinued before hospice care can begin, while symptom relief is still offered while in hospice. For example, health care workers may administer pain relievers or anti-nausea medications to hospice patients.
Making the Choice to Start End-of-Life Care
The decision to initiate end-of-life care is decided with the patient, family carers, and the patient’s medical care team’s input. Anyone can begin the procedure, either by obtaining a hospice recommendation from the patient’s usual health care providers or by directly contacting the hospice provider.
First Steps and Contacting a Hospice Care
When news of a terminal illness breaks in a family, the steps to be taken next are the most crucial ones. But, we understand deciding in such emotional times seems difficult. At Sahara Hospice Care, we make that decision easy for you by providing holistic hospice care in Houston. From the patient’s health to the loved ones’ social support — we are there for you, every step of the way.
How Long Hospice Care Lasts
Most hospice patients are only there for six months or less, however this might vary greatly depending on the patient’s prognosis and any health changes that occur during the terminal stages of a serious illness.
Why Sahara Hospice Care?
The leading hospice care company in Texas, we:
Provide holistic medical services Have qualified medical personnel of all related fields Possess the required equipment Provide hands-on care Formulate personalized care plans Are available and in reach — 24/7/365.
