Five Reasons Hospice Care Can Help You Now
Hospice care has become an important part of a terminal patient’s care. As more people, doctors and hospitals become acquainted with the process, patients have been able to take advantage of all of the benefits of this care at the end of their lives.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is the pursuit of the highest quality of life for a terminally ill patient. When there are no more treatment options, or the patient no longer wishes to try them, she can enroll in a hospice program. This can take place in her home if she chooses, or at a hospital or hospice. There are many benefits to choosing hospice care which makes it worthwhile to enroll in a program sooner rather than later.
Eases the Burden on the caregiver
Caring for a terminally ill patient can be very challenging, as the sick person often needs round the clock management. Caregivers can burn out pretty quickly if they don’t have a lot of support. Hospice can provide help and support for the caregiver in a few ways. The program may have support groups for the caregiver, in the form of an online group, a weekly meeting or both. They can also send household assistance to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the home, and probably most importantly, they can provide respite care as well, giving the caregiver some time off to take care of other obligations or to just take a rest.
Improves the patient’s quality of life
The goal of the hospice care is to improve the patient’s quality of life during the time he has remaining. The hospice team will clarify the patient’s wishes and create a plan of care to meet those needs, making the patient’s life easier at the end. Some studies have shown that enrollment in a hospice program can increase the patient’s lifespan.
Helps coordinate care
The hospice team works together to fulfill the care plan, and part of the goal is coordinating care so all of the patient’s wishes are met. Since care is administered as part of one program, all of the aspects come together to create a fully integrated plan that takes care of all of the elements of treatment and comfort care together. This eases the burden on both patient and caregiver, who don’t need to interface with a group of unaffiliated professionals.
Helps you plan for the inevitable
Part of the hospice plan is preparing for the end stages of illness. Patients are only approved for hospice care if their doctor believes that they have up to six months to live. They team works with the patient’s family to decide how to treat end of life issues and create the most comfortable plan for the end of life.
It’s covered by Medicare
Hospice care when approved by a doctor is covered by Medicare, which makes it worthwhile, even financially, for patients to enroll as soon a possible. That way, they can get the care they want and need as soon as their situation makes it necessary, without having to worry about how to pay for it.
At Hudson View Center for Rehabilitation in Bergen County,New Jersey, hospice care is an important part of our offerings, and we can provide hospice services both inpatient and outpatient – whatever the patient chooses.