Hospice care eventually becomes the only option for individuals who are diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Hospice care teams are responsible for providing people with comfortable care as they near the end of their battle with the illness.
The sole purpose of hospice care is to make sure that the people stay as comfortable during their last days as possible. But how do you determine if hospice care is right for you? Read on to find out more.
When To Start Hospice Care
Hospice care should begin when an illness becomes so advanced that it can’t be cured or is impossible to control. However, a qualified hospice doctor and a primary care doctor must certify whether a particular person needs hospice care. Hospice care may begin if a person:
- Has less than six months to live
- Decides to stop medical treatment
- Isn’t experiencing health improvements
- Feels that their quality of life continues to decline
What Hospice Care Covers
After you decide that you or a loved one should begin hospice care, you and your care provider will discuss what the process looks like. Hospice care may include the following:
- Pain management
- Symptom management and control
- Family support
- Spiritual support
- Stress management
- Support for other mental health conditions
How To Know Whether Hospice Is the Right Option
Providing care for a family member who won’t recover from a current illness places a physical, financial, and emotional burden on the family. Hospice care provides you with the support you need to maintain dignity and grace during the final stages of your family member’s life. Hospice care is a viable option when:
- A patient is suffering from uncontrollable pain
- A cure for the patient’s disease isn’t available or effective
- Family members wish to keep the patient at home rather than transferring them to a nursing home
What To Look for in a Hospice Care Provider
Consider these factors when choosing a hospice care provider to ensure a compassionate yet professional service.
- Check the provider’s licensing, certification, and payment policies
- Evaluate the provider’s reputation and history
- Make sure that their service includes all the mandatory hospice care
- Get details about the extent of care that you or your loved one needs to receive
- Never hesitate to ask questions that concern you
- Know the provider’s ability to fulfill requirements for complex patients.
Explore Other Supportive Services
For people nearing the end stages of a specific illness, hospice care helps relieve them of discomfort, pain, and other symptoms. While hospice care teams treat the patient’s symptoms, they communicate and provide support to the family members 24/7.
Now you know how to determine if hospice care is right for you. Do your research and make an informed decision today. Make sure you know what to look for in a hospice care provider, and you can choose the right place for you or your loved one.
