Transitioning into hospice care is a difficult step for many care patients and their families. Accepting the reality that a parent or grandparent needs end of life care can make the process extremely emotional. With the added task of finding a trustworthy care provider, those helping transition a loved one into hospice often face a stressful situation. Luckily, there are many hospice programs that provide compassionate and fulfilling end of life care for the elderly. There is no denying that end of life preparation will be a poignant experience for most families, but a good hospice service will allow for a less stressful, more enjoyable experience for patients and their loved ones.
What is Hospice Care?
In choosing a hospice provider, it is first important to understand what hospice care truly is and who can benefit from it. Hospice care generally means end of life care, specifically for terminally ill patients that cannot receive treatment for their condition. These services do not aim to cure patients, but rather make them more comfortable, both emotionally and physically. Hospice patients receive physical care to ease their pain, and emotional support and companionship from their caregivers. If your loved one is suffering from a painful illness, or you cannot provide them with the around the clock care they need towards the end, it might be a good time to consider utilizing hospice services.
Types of Hospice Care
There are a few different types of hospice services, the main variation being between in-home hospice care and inpatient care. In-home hospice services bring a caregiver directly to a patient’s home, while inpatient occurs in a medical facility. Typically, inpatient care implies that a patient stays at their hospice facility continuously. For this reason, in-home care caters better to many patients who feel more comfortable in their home environment. Sometimes, inpatient care becomes necessary for patients whose pain can no longer be managed at home.
Variations on in-home hospice care include routine in-home check ins, around the clock care, and respite care. Routine care is a good option for patients who need hospice services, but are not at the point of needing constant help. Around the clock care typically serves patients whose condition has progressed to the point of needing full time support. Respite care aims to bring in care services to relieve the work of family caregivers. This is a good option for families who provide care for their loved one, but need breaks in order to work or rest. With all hospice care services, the option for companionship hospice is also often available. Companion hospice focuses on providing companionship to patients who enjoy company even when they do not need physical pain relief or medical services.
Important Factors to Consider
After determining what type of hospice care best suits your loved one, it is time to find a good hospice care provider. When choosing a hospice provider, there are a few factors to consider in order to find the service best suited for your loved one. Good hospice programs will provide a combination of top notch professional qualifications and the compassion necessary to provide emotionally fulfilling end of life support. When considering these qualities in a hospice program, some important questions to ask include:
- Does the hospice service have good testimonials or referrals?
- What are the company’s certifications?
- What medical services and professionals are provided?
- Does the company provide any specialized care services, such as dementia care?
- What levels of hospice care are available?
- Does the service provide companionship hospice if needed?
- Are the caregivers aptly trained to address the emotional needs that often arise with end of life care?
The Positives of Hospice Care
Many people interpret committing to a hospice program as immediately saying goodbye or “giving up”. This misconception often makes hospice care a dreaded service. In reality, the best hospice programs aim to ease the difficulties that many patients and their families experience during an end of life process. An article by Very Well Health notes that rather than “choosing death”, choosing hospice care more realistically means that a patient has the opportunity to live life to the fullest. Hospice care does not have to mean giving up, but rather broadening one’s ability to live as comfortably as possible in the end. Pain management and compassionate support services can help families spend more quality time with their loved ones when receiving hospice care.
New Wave Home Care Offers Compassionate Services
New Wave Home Care understands that on top of providing skilled care, hospice support requires compassion. In caring for the elderly, we provide far more than just physical support. Our caregivers focus on providing heartfelt care that can bring companionship and joy to clients and their families. For those seeking hospice care in the Pasadena area, New Wave Home Care can help with services including:
- Family support and respite
- Transfers
- Personal care
- Companionship services
Available 24 hours a day, our hospice caregivers can provide daily services including:
- Bathing and personal hygiene help
- Providing skin care
- Turning those who are confined to bed to prevent pressure ulcers
- Preparing meals and doing laundry
- Providing companionship
- Notifying the family or hospice care team when necessary
Contact Us for More Information
We are always available around the clock to answer any questions you might have about care for your loved one. For more information about our specialized hospice support, or our other types of elderly care, do not hesitate to reach out. Feel free to contact us and to schedule a free consultation with a New Wave Home Care representative.
