Elder Care Spotlight: How Hospice Supports Comfort & Care...

Most people hear the word "hospice" and think that the end of life is near. It is seen as the very last resort that basically means that the family has given up hope. This is a great misunderstanding. Hospice Care strives to create the most comfortable environment for elderly people for as long as they possibly can. Even though hospice care is intended for people who have 6 months to live, patients are evaluated every 6 months to determine whether or not this level of care is still needed. Hospice can be renewed indefinitely when their eligibility for it remains consistent. It is not just for the terminally ill, but for anyone who qualifies. Some groups of people who usually qualify for hospice care are those with advanced cancer, heart failure, lung disease, Dementia, kidney failure, neurological diseases, or liver failure. Other factors they consider are how many hospitalizations the client has had and how frequent they were, if they are losing weight, if they have stopped eating, if they need extra help with basic functions like eating, bathing, or getting dressed, or if they are becoming more weak and their symptoms are worsening even with treatments. When these needs are present, hospice care is needed. Research shows that people who use hospice tend to live longer than expected because of the quality of care they are receiving.

Hospice is holistic care that addresses one's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It is a type of palliative care that is specifically for the last phase of life, when there is no longer a goal to find the cure to any given dis-ease in the body. Hospice is also a wonderful educational support network for caregivers, offering education and the training needed in order to properly support their Loved one. There is 24 hour support, 7 days a week with specialized doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, medical equipment, medications, and grief counseling to help the family. It is covered by insurance and not a financial burden on the family. The staff takes over the need to go to the ER or doctor's offices for care. Should the hospice patient desire, they are still able to seek other treatments for unrelated issues if needed. However, if a hospice client needs to stay at the ER overnight, hospice services end until they reapply after the hospital stay is complete. Due to liability reasons, certain restrictions apply. Whether the patient receives routine care, continuous care, in-patient care, or respite care, hospice offers various levels of support in order to address the many stages of elderly life. It is the guiding Light in a time where it is very difficult to see the road ahead. We are eternally grateful for the staff of amazing beings that make up our hospice team, and we pray that everyone who qualifies and needs this level of care finds it.