How do you know it is time for home hospice care? This can be a hard decision. However, there are signs which tell you it is time for a change. In this article, we talk about what home hospice care is and what tells you to call the experts.
What Is Home Hospice Care?
Home hospice care is a kind of medical care which gives comfort and support in the last stages of a life-limiting illness. Hospice care provided in your home improves quality of life and offers emotional, spiritual and physical care for both the patient and family members.
As the name implies, people can receive hospice care in the comfort of their own homes. Also, hospice can happen in an acute care, inpatient setting. Some patients receive hospice services through scheduled home visits.
For many reasons, people prefer in-home hospice. One of the most important reasons is that home hospice allows patients to spend their remaining days in familiar surroundings with their loved ones.
Signs That It Might Be Time to Get Home Hospice Care
How do you know you need home hospice care? Here are just some of the signs.
You Need Frequent Hospital Visits
If you have been going to the hospital emergency room frequently due to health complications, consider home hospice. With hospice at home, you will avoid the stress and strain of being in the hospital. At the comfort of your own home, you receive personalized care which helps you deal with your symptoms.
You Are No Longer Seeking Curative Treatment
If you only wish to focus on managing symptoms and improving your quality of life, home hospice may be the next step. Home hospice provides a well-rounded team of healthcare professionals. These experts work together to meet your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in a compassionate and dignified way.
Your Ability to Function Declines
Has there been a noticeable decline in how you function physically? Is bathing, dressing or eating meals becoming more and more difficult?
If you need help for these tasks, home hospice care can provide the right in-home support. Hospice care delivered in your own home is all about quality of life and taking care of basic needs in the easiest and kindest ways.
It Is Harder to Relieve Pain
People with terminal conditions need to manage pain. If traditional medications and therapies no longer help you or cause unwanted side effects, home hospice care offers better options which are patient-centered and adjusted to your needs.
You and Your Caregivers Feel Overwhelmed
Caring for a loved one can be emotionally, physically and mentally tiring. Caregivers may need additional support to provide the best possible care for loved ones.
Home hospice service offers respite services, counseling and 24/7 support for both the patient and the caregivers. Respite means taking a break from caregiving responsibilities, giving you time to rest and recharge. This is very important for family caregivers who have their own health issues or feel exhausted from the demands of ‘round the clock care.
Counseling services through home hospice provides emotional support and guidance for both the patient and the family members. Caring for a loved one with a terminal illness can bring up many difficult emotions. One on one counseling can help you cope with these feelings.
You Want Peaceful End-of-life Care
Many people with terminal illnesses desire peaceful end-of-life care. This can include being in the homes they know and love, surrounded by friends and family. Hospice care at home allows patients to receive medical treatment while spending the remaining time in an atmosphere which provides the most comfort.
You Worry about Finances
People nearing the end of life often have expensive medical treatments and hospital stays. Home hospice limits some of these costs. People under hospice care no longer seek high-priced care to manage chronic health conditions or to seek a cure.
Also, Medicaid and Medicare cover home hospice care. So, in-home hospice relieves some of the financial burden during an emotionally stressful time.
Home Hospice Care in Pennsylvania
Advantage Hospice delivers the emotional, physical and spiritual support people and their loved ones need when dealing with life-limiting conditions. We are honored to have earned a 5-star Medicare rating. Our patients and their families make the most of the time remaining and feel a sense of peace about the end of life.
To learn more about how our experienced and dedicated team can assist you, contact Advantage Hospice using our information request form here. We strive for excellence in all we do for our valuable patients.
