What Is Hospice Care?

End-of-life care can be difficult to talk about. If you’ve been dealing with serious health issues for a long time, you, your loved ones, or your healthcare team may avoid addressing options that focus more on comfort than on cure. However, hospice care offers you and your loved ones the opportunity to focus on making the most of your remaining time. Hospice is less about death and more about making the most of life.

Improve Quality of Life at the End of Life

Hospice gives you the option to experience the end of life on your own terms, maximizing comfort and eliminating pain, as you spend precious time with the people closest to you. During hospice care, your team’s priority is to improve your quality of life by managing your symptoms. Your care team, which will likely include medical professionals, family members, social workers, clergy, and counselors, may also provide the following services:

• Daily tasks like bathing and dressing.
• Support and education about disease processes, equipment use, hands-on care, and caregiving.
• Assistance with decision making, family discussions, and finding resources.
• Support with personal spiritual beliefs and practices, including prayers, assistance with memorial plans, and help with healing strained relationships.
• Bereavement counseling to help your family deal with life transitions.
• Companionship, practical assistance like running errands and transportation, and emotional support for you and your family.

When Can You Begin Hospice Care?

Patients can transition to hospice when they are expected to live about six months or less. Many people wait well beyond the time they and their loved ones would have received the most benefit from hospice care, sometimes waiting until they have only weeks or days remaining. By implementing a hospice plan earlier in the transition process, you and your family can focus on comfort and quality time together, making the time more peaceful and meaningful for the family.

Are you unsure whether it’s time to make the transition to hospice care? We’re here to listen, offer support, and answer questions while you and your loved ones make the best plan for your care. Find out more about us here, or give us a call: 800-952-2207.