What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care offers personalized, compassionate care for patients and their families living with a life-limiting illness and a life expectancy that is measured in months, not years. Hospice caregivers promote comfort care by managing pain and other end-of-life symptoms. Special attention is also given to emotional and spiritual needs.
Hospice care most often occurs at your home, although care can be managed in a nursing home, personal care home, a hospice center, and in some instances, a hospital.
When Can Hospice Help?
- When you want your medical treatment to focus on comfort.
- When you need assistance with personal care.
- When you want emotional support for you and your loved ones.
- When you want professional support and guidance.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life by reducing the physical and emotional stress associated with a serious or life-limiting illness.
Palliative care can be part of hospice care, but is also a stand-alone service, even for those receiving curative therapies.
Unlike hospice care, it is available at any stage of illness.
What Assistance Does Hospice Provide Patients?
- A Team of Doctors
- Nurses
- Hospice Aides
- Therapists
- Spiritual Care Givers
- Social Workers
- Volunteers
In Addition, Hospice Helps to Provide:
- Medications related to the life-limiting illness
- Medical Supplies
- Medical Equipment
- Pain & Symptom Management Control
Advanced Planning Is Important!
Medical and end-of-life decisions can be made easier for you and your loved ones if you plan ahead and make your wishes known.
A WISH CHECK LIST:
- Prepare an Advanced Directive for the kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want.
- Sign a Medical Power of Attorney appointing someone to make medical decisions for you when you are no longer able to speak for yourself.
- Sign a Financial Power of Attorney appointing someone to manage your personal finances should you become unable.
- Discuss with your family how you wish to be cared for when the time comes and write it down.
- Write down your Burial and/or Memorial wishes and discuss it with your loved ones.
- Having a Will can bring protection and welfare to those you care about when you are gone.
(seek guidance from your Physician and/or Legal Advisor)