Hospice care comprises a specialized type of care that focuses on the quality of life of patients who are suffering from advanced and life-containing illnesses. It helps in providing the compassionate type of care for individuals in the end stages of a disease that has no cure such that they can live their life to a full extent as comfortably as possible. The philosophy around hospice care accepts death as the final stage in life. It causes affirmation of life however, it does not cause hastening or postponement of death. The care focuses on body functions rather than specific diseases that cause symptoms. They provide loving, caring support for patients and their family members. Hospice care is mostly family-centric as it incorporates a patient and their family members in the decision-making process.
When is Hospice care given?
Hospice care is directed at any terminally sick person who is expected to live for about six months or lesser. However, It is provided till the time preferred and certified by an individual’s doctor. The team ascertains that the patient’s condition is expected to remain life-threatening. Most patients are cancer survivors, but they can also suffer from other conditions.
Enrollment in Hospice care as early as possible can help you live a better and longer life. It decreases the burden on your family, helps them in their grieving process, and prepares them for your death. This form of hospice care is termed ‘respite care.
Who all are involved in Hospice care?
If a person is not receiving care at any dedicated facility, dedicated staff will schedule regular visits to their home or any other similar setting. Staff is on 24 hours call each day for seven days a week.
A team may typically require assistance from —
a) Doctors: A doctor involved in providing primary care along with any doctor or a medical director oversees patient care. Every patient helps in choosing their dedicated primary doctor who may be a general physician or any hospice doctor;
b) Nurses: Nurses visit the patient’s relative’s house or any other setting for providing hospice care. They may also be held responsible for coordinating the entire team involved in hospice care
c) Home health care aides: These healthcare aides provide additional support for routine health care, for example, getting dressed, taking bath, and eating food
d) Spiritual counseling: The help of priests, lay ministers, Chaplains, or any other spiritual guides may provide spiritual healing and guidance for the entire family
e) Social workers: Social workers help in providing counseling and support along with providing referrals for any other supporting system
f) Pharmacists: They provide oversight on various medications and also, suggestions concerning the most effective methods for relieving symptoms
g) Volunteers: Volunteers who are trained to provide a variety of services that include providing company and respite to caregivers and also help with arranging transportation or any other practical requirements
h) Other professional services: Professionals who cater as speech, occupational and physical therapists may also provide concerned therapy if required
i) Counselors dealing with bereavement: Employing trained counselors dealing with bereavement help in offering support as well as guidance following the death of a loved family member in hospice care services.
Benefits of Hospice care
We have discussed all fundamentals of hospice care and what it stands for. Now, there are a few benefits offered by hospice care services: A known or Familiarity with the Environment: Unlike most seniors’ homes or support care groups, it lets one’s family members stay in their homes. Hospice is a new set of specific health care services that are made available to individuals living with terminal diseases. We offer medication or treatments that help our patients be at home and stay healthier. Those with terminal illnesses can have their own personal care at home in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
We offer senior care that includes hospice care and home health care. We have facilities designed with seniors in mind, so your loved one can live more comfortably and independently.
How hospice care differs from palliative care?
Hospice is one of the most important and meaningful services to offer for individuals with any serious type of illness. It aims to provide high-quality care, as well as relief from symptoms for a higher quality of life. Although it may include palliative care, they are different from each other: Whenever care is provided, it is offered for patients during the last phases of an incurable illness or towards the end of life, for example, in patients with advanced and metastatic cancer while palliative care may be provided at any stage of critical illness.
“Treatment” only involves the management of symptoms along with side effects of a critical illness. This is called “hospice care” when there is no active treatment. Palliative care is offered whenever an active form of treatment is provided. It may be given at the same time as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immune therapy for treating cancer.
Hospice is a medical treatment that focuses on comfort and providing care to patients with end-of-life issues. Patients are commonly referred to as “palliative” care patients. A palliative care team provides support, advocacy, and emotional health care for their patients.
How Centric Healthcare Can Help?
Centric healthcare can help by providing well-trained nursing staff, medical equipment such as Hospital beds, Wheel-chair, Walkers, and Oxygen apparatus along with medical supplies like Wound dressing, bedpans, Gloves, and masks.
References
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care#:~:text=Palliative%20care%20involves%20a%20range,the%20patient%20and%20their%20family.
- https://www.cancer.org/treatment/end-of-life-care/hospice-care/what-is-hospice-care.html
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/end-of-life/in-depth/hospice-care/art-20048050
