Hospice care comforts those nearing the end of life by attending to their social, spiritual, psychological, and physical needs.
Medical professionals often recommend hospice care to terminally ill patients when they have six months to live or fewer. Many people with chronic and terminal conditions, including cancer, heart disease, dementia, and kidney failure, find comfort in hospice care as they face their final days.
Hospice Care: What Does It Provide?
While there is some uniformity in the services offered by hospices, each provider has their philosophy and method of providing comfort to their patients. The American Cancer Society reports that hospice care typically includes the following:
- Palliative care:
As a component of hospice care, palliative care aims to alleviate or eliminate any discomfort a patient may be experiencing due to their illness. Palliative care seeks to alleviate suffering so that terminally ill patients can spend their final days with their loved ones, free from pain and other symptoms. Palliative care's primary focus is ensuring the patient is comfortable and aware of their alternatives.
- Home care:
Provided in the comfort of the patient's own home, hospice care is the norm. However, there are times when a hospital or other long-term care institution is the best option for hospice care. Hospice care is available around the clock, and the staff will work with you and your loved ones to make arrangements for treatment regardless of where you are.
- Spiritual care:
Depending on the patient's views and wishes, hospice care can also include spiritual or religious support in addition to pain and symptom management. As a person prepares to leave this world, spiritual care can assist with matters such as making funeral arrangements and religious or spiritual ceremonies.
Hospice Care: What Is It?
If you are eligible, hospice care is free of charge because it is a Medicare benefit.
Along with the patient, hospice care also assists their loved ones.
People with terminal illnesses have the right to decide for themselves how and where they will spend their final days.
Managing symptoms and pain should make the patient as comfortable as possible without compromising their ability to stay awake.
Medical care is to alleviate suffering on all levels, mental and physical so that patients and their loved ones can get back to living.
Keep moving and do what makes you happy; it will help your condition.
Advantages of Hospice Care
- It is difficult for everyone involved to witness a loved one's terminal illness progress.
- Amid a terminal illness, hospice care offers round-the-clock assistance to the patient and their loved ones.
- Home hospice care is an option for those who would prefer not to leave the familiar surroundings of their own home, while it is also available in hospitals and other long-term care facilities.
- In addition to providing a thorough care plan, hospice care relieves family members of many worries, allowing them to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones rather than worrying about the future.
- There is also the option for hospice care to be individualised to meet the specific requirements of each patient and honour their last wishes.
Conclusion:
Hospice care is “whole body” because the interdisciplinary teams attend to patients' emotional, social, and spiritual well-being and physical health. Carers also receive much-needed help, education, and breaks from their responsibilities. Early initiation of hospice care services is crucial for maximising its benefits.
