The Benefits of Hospice Care
When facing a serious illness, there may come a time when treatments are no longer working or you or your loved one may decide to change treatment goals from curative to managing symptoms and focusing on the people and things that matter most. This is when the benefits of hospice care can help.
Some people hesitate when considering hospice, worried that it might seem like they are giving up. But the goal of hospice care is to support the patient by focusing on their quality of life for all the time they have.
What are the benefits of hospice care for patients?
Hospice is designed to honor the wishes of the patient while providing specialized care and support to manage symptoms. When someone begins considering hospice care, they are often surprised to learn that hospice is a service that can be provided wherever the patient is residing – whether that’s a nursing home, an assisted living facility, a hospital or their own home. In fact, many patients choose to receive care in their own home, comforted by familiar surroundings and the support of their family.
Another benefit of hospice care is that each patient is assigned a team of healthcare professionals to support the patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. This team consists of nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and bereavement coordinators who work together under the direction of a medical director to ensure the team is working in sync to meet the patient’s needs.
At Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, we also offer special programs to patients that put the focus on living their best life. Veterans receive a Veteran Recognition Ceremony, honoring their service to our country. Patients can also create a Life Journal with a volunteer who gathers stories, photos, and words of wisdom into a book to gift to the patient’s family. We also are proud to offer patients our Gift of a Day program which creates one special day for the patient to do what they love. For some, it’s a special meal with family. For others, it’s a trip to the zoo or a concert. And for others, it’s the fulfillment of a long-held wish like riding a hot air balloon. Each Gift of a Day is as unique as the patients we serve.
What are the benefits of hospice care for families?
Navigating a serious illness is often just as difficult for the family as it is for the patient. The hospice care team helps to provide support and education to supplement the care the family is already providing.
Hospice care also benefits family caregivers by delivering all the prescriptions, medical supplies, and medical equipment to the patient at no cost to the patient or family. This cuts down on the need to run errands and allows families to focus on their precious time together.
Hospice care is typically covered at 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance programs.
In addition to providing care to the patient, our team is there to support the family through this emotional journey. Social workers can provide emotional support, assist in making end-of-life arrangements, and connect families to additional resources within the community. Chaplains provide spiritual support. Volunteers are available to sit with the patient to give family members much needed breaks. And when the time comes, our bereavement team will support families through their loss.
Families often tell us they wish they had known about the benefits of hospice sooner. If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us at 1-888-564-3405. We’re here to support you.
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