Hospice care specializes in the quality of people’s life who is suffering from an advanced life-limiting disease and their caregiver. They provide sympathetic care to those people who are at last the stage of an incurable disease. This is to make the people who are at the door of death live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Rather than treating the disease, hospice care help in treating the person and symptoms of the disease. So, the professionals in hospice care work as a team to manage the symptoms. They help spend a quality life with dignity and be in the company of their dear ones till the end. Furthermore, hospice care is also family-centered involving both patients and their families in making decisions. To ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of hospice care it is important to find the best hospice care in California.
When should you start hospice care?
The earlier you start hospice care the better. Do not wait for the disease to advance to such a stage where no treatment can cure or control them. This can include diseases such as advanced cancer, etc. So, those people who are suffering from advanced cancer should discuss with their family on deciding when to start hospice care.
According to the studies, hospice care often does not start in time. This is because, sometimes most doctors, patients, and family refuse to use hospice care as they think using hospice care means giving up or having no hope in life. However, you should know that you can use hospice care and leave them for further cancer treatment at any time you want.
However, many doctors do not bring up the use of hospice care, so the patient or the family might need to start the conversation about hospice care. If your treatment is not working or you are left with no treatment options then, consider asking the professionals about hospice care.
Services provided by hospice care
Hospice care provides the following services:
- Palliative care/symptoms control
- Home care/inpatient hospice care
- Coordination of care
- Respite care
- Spiritual care
- Family meetings
Palliative care
Palliative care is also called symptom management, supportive care or comfort care. The care usually does not treat cancer itself, they focus on the prevention of the symptoms and side effects as soon as possible.
So, palliative care as a part of hospice care looks at how the cancer is affecting the person. They try to help them relieve the pain, symptoms, and stress. They also give opportunities to the patients and their caregivers to involve in planning their care. Further, the professionals of the palliative care team help in managing issues such as physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual that might occur later on. Their aim is to make patients live comfortable and enjoyable life while they are at the last stage of life. This means they will help in relieving all the pain, discomfort, nausea, and other side effects, making you feel a lot better as early as possible so that you can live a better comfortable life before death.
Home care and inpatient hospice care
Most hospice care usually focuses on home care. But there are times when you need hospitalizations and requires special care facilities. So, your home hospice care team can help in managing inpatient care. There they will still involve with your care and also with your family.
Spiritual care
Most people differ in their spiritual needs and religious beliefs. That is why, spiritual care has been set up differently to meet each need. This can include helping you say goodbye or understand death. They can also help you with certain religious rituals.
Family meetings
The hospice care will schedule regular meetings with the patients and their family members. This is to make the family members informed about your condition and what they should expect. Further, the family meeting also gives opportunities to everyone to share their feelings while they were together. Not only this but this meeting also gives great support and helps relieve stress to the family members. They will also further keep updating you daily and informally during routine visits.
Coordination of care
The hospice care team will provide coordinates of all care 24/7. They are responsible for making sure that they are transparent while sharing the service information. This can include the inpatient facility and the doctors. This can also include other community professionals such as clergy, pharmacists, and funeral directors. Hospice care also provides 24/7 service so that the patients or the family members can contact them in case of urgency. They always make sure you are not alone and can get help at any time you want.
Respite care
The hospice care team also offers respite care allowing family and friends some free time from taking care of the patients. Respite care can be given for about 5 days. During this period the patients are moved to hospitals or nursing homes. This helps family or friends to get some free time for themselves.
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