“We wished we would have involved your hospice team earlier. They made us feel more confident about what and how we were doing with our mother. That was a great relief!”
Most of us prefer comfort to any level of discomfort. Yet, as our bodies begin to fail, whether from age or disease, rather than making a decision that would allow comfort to be the top priority, we behave somehow as if comfort, quality of life, dignity and time with loved ones are not important at all.
No one is ever glad to hear that the focus needs to shift from curing to caring, but in many cases, for people of many ages and stages, that time does come. Naturally, it can bring sadness, disbelief, and even, anger.
If you or someone you love has been ill and has recently been in and out of the hospital, with no real improvement in their condition, it might be a sign that it is time to change the focus to comfort and quality of life. Perhaps they have even expressed a desire not to return to the hospital – to be able to remain at home surrounded by the life they have built over the years. Perhaps we need to listen.
If you or someone you love, has been able to control symptoms associated with an illness for a period of time, but recently it has taken frequent medication or dosage changes to effect control, it might be a sign that it is time to change the focus to comfort and quality of life.
We know when our bodies seem to be “taking one step forward and two steps back” with everything we try.
That is not the time to give up or lose hope. And yet, neither is it the time to “keep pushing” beyond what we can do. In reality, it is perhaps a time to shift gears and concentrate our energies on living every moment, enjoying the people we love and the life we have.
It is perhaps, time for hospice. It is time to let our hospice team work with you toward maximum comfort and quality of life. It is time to find support and guidance for both the patient and the family caregivers. It is time to spend time with friends and family saying and doing what is most important.
Questions you might ask yourself are:
- Do I or my loved one want aggressive curative treatment with little hope of success?
- Are current treatments truly restoring health or extending the dying process?
- Are the burdens associated with my treatment plan more than I want to bear?
- What are our priorities at this time? What is most important to me? To my family?
- Are we spending more time in the doctor’s office or hospital than with one another?
Home Hospice has a DVD specially created to help you see the life and living that is offered through comfort care. You may view it here or contact our office to get your own copy.
Choosing a hospice to care for you or your loved one is a big decision. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some things you might want to know are:
How many patients does an RN case manager care for at one time? A manageable nurse to patient ratio that allows for adequate time to provide care is 10 to 12 patients.
How often may an aide visit to provide personal care? You may not want an aide to help at all; or you may need almost daily help. Asking will help you know what is available to you now, and in the future.
What will hospice care cost? You don’t want added cost to burden your family.
Are all levels of hospice care available? There are four levels of hospice care – routine home care, provided in the patient’s place of residence; respite care, provided in order that caregivers can have a period of rest during the process; continuous or crisis care, provided in the home to address symptom management issues that need several hours of continuous intervention by staff; and inpatient care, provided in a facility to address symptom issues or crises which cannot effectively be addressed in the home.
What volunteer services are available? Hospices must provide volunteer support for patients and families. Some provide a wide range of programming with trained volunteers, alleviating the stress of care-giving and of being ill, increasing the level of support available, and improving the quality of life for both patient and family. Ask for information about the range of volunteer services and the training of volunteers.
What grief support services are available? A varied and extensive bereavement support program is a vital component to hospice care. What costs are involved in accessing the grief support services and what services can you and your family choose from?
How much hospice experience does the staff have? Well established hospices with experienced staff members have the knowledge and expertise to provide the widest range of services and address a great variety of issues associated with end-of-life care.
Is the hospice joined in corporate ownership with the facility in which the resident resides? Often facility staff members suggest that they work better with a particular hospice, and they may. If, however, that suggestion comes from shared corporate ownership or interest, that choice may not be the most beneficial to the patient’s care.
How does the hospice work to improve quality of life? Some hospices have added services that can enhance this time for many people.
If you think that you, your loved one, a friend or a patient might be ready for hospice, let us know. We’ll be right there.
“I never knew there were people out there like Home Hospice. Thank you.”
