One of the hardest decisions a family would have to make is taking a loved one to a hospice home for better medical care and treatment. Specialized facilities have been set up to ensure that terminally ill patients continue to receive expert care.
For those who cannot afford live-in medical care, they opt to check into hospice homes in Indiana instead. This way, families are assured that their loved one is in a safe and comfortable environment where they get proper medical attention for their condition.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice is a concept of providing a good quality of life, care and comfort to patients who are at the end stages of their lives. Family members are prepared emotionally and psychologically for the eventuality of death. However, they feel better knowing that hospice provides care, comfort and assistance to their loved ones at the stage where medicine can no longer cure them. Hospice care is anchored on the belief that with appropriate care, and sensitive and supportive community, terminally ill patients can start preparing for the inevitable future.
Hospice, also known as palliative care, is a type of medical attention that uses aggressive treatment to physical and emotional symptoms. It is not just for the elderly and cancer patients; it covers all patients who can no longer take care of themselves. It centers on creating a comfortable and improved quality of life for everyone involved.
In some cases, acceptable hospice care programs can be done right at the patient’s home. With this option, the quality of life and dignity of the patient is given utmost importance. Here, the family is broadly involved in caring for the patient. Patients usually enter a hospice program if death is expected in six months or less.
Choosing a Primary Caregiver
Physical pain from terminal illnesses can be frightening, debilitating and sometimes, dehumanizing. If not properly trained, a family member may face difficulties dealing with the patient in his or her moments of pain. This is when the family needs to decide who the primary care provider will be.
A hospice care program will set up medical equipment needed by the patient and train the caregiver to administer the prescribed medication. In case the family requires a skilled nurse, hospice care providers may also extend professional nursing services.
Hospice care providers also lend social, psychological, emotional and spiritual support to the patient and the rest of the family. They may offer much-needed time-off for the primary caregiver, provide nutritional, pastoral or grief counseling, personal care as well as legal and funeral arrangements if needed.
Why go through all of these? Studies have shown that patients receiving proper hospice care were happier and showed more satisfaction than those receiving traditional care. Patients and families also experienced less anxiety and depression throughout the palliative care process. Before deciding if hospice home care is the best for your loved ones, consider the patient’s wishes and involve family members in the decision making so everyone understands the setup.