Hospice at home

By Metro Creative

The philosophy behind hospice is that people should be able to live as fully and as comfortably as possible through the last days of their lives, surrounded by loved ones and friends. Hospice treats the symptoms of illness rather than trying to be curative. Hospice also does not try to postpone nor accelerate death.

The American Cancer Society says hospice care is offered by a team of professionals who work together to manage distress, symptoms and spiritual issues. Services also are offered to family members, including access to counselors and bereavement experts. Hospice workers help family members make decisions and plan care.

Hospice is a form of care, rather than a place. Saying a person is going into hospice means he or she will begin to receive this type of palliative care. While hospice can take place in a center that only offers this type of service, a hospice team can work in a variety of settings, including one’s home.

Many people receive hospice care at home. VNS Health provides care in spaces patients call home and says that hospice care can include administration of medications, arrangement of equipment (like beds and oxygen) and visits from a hospice care team. A hospice team may include nurses, social workers, physicians, therapists, and even clergy who come to the home to offer support and care.

Home hospice care begins with a team member visiting with a terminally ill person and his or her family. During a visit, needs will be addressed and the hospice team can arrange for desired services. Things may move quickly afterwards, and families may find relief in knowing there is another person on their side to help in what can be extraordinarily stressful situations.

The ACS says home hospice care often requires that someone be home with the patient 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This primary caregiver will be trained to give much of the hands-on care. Members of the hospice staff will visit regularly to check up and make sure that any symptoms are under control.

Should home care prove too much, respite care gives families time off to recover, and the patient can spend some time in a nursing facility. There is also the possibility for continuous home care, which offers short-term, around-the-clock care at home. Moving an individual to a private facility for inpatient care may be another option if a primary caregiver is overwhelmed.

Home care is an option for those researching hospice services. Families are urged to do their homework to find the best program for their needs.— From Metro Creative