When looking for hospice services, it will benefit you when you know the important things to consider. Whether you live in Wichita, Kansas or anywhere in the U.S., this guide will help you find reliable hospice services for your elderly loved one.
Location of the Hospice
Finding the right site of the hospice for your loved one is a critical stage you will embark into. Depending on the current condition of the patient, you need to consider how the person who will be admitted will cope with the new environment. It’s for sure that there would be a psychological impact on the patient. So, it’s better to select the nearest hospice location for your loved ones in order for you to visit them conveniently.
If you have nothing in mind, you can consult a physician or a ‘caseworker’ within a hospital. They can provide you with a better idea about reliable sites that can provide your loved ones with medical, psychological, and spiritual assistance.
Typically, hospice centers admit patients and they can stay for 6 months to receive adequate support and care. But if the illness continues after that said period, you can request for recertification for continuous caring for your loved one.
Experienced Medical Professionals
The available services vary from one hospice site to another. So, it’s vital to do research and ensure that your loved ones will be provided with the right support they need as conveniently as possible. You will gain peace of mind when you know that the facility has capable medical professionals to help. Investigate and check their accreditations.
Types of Hospice
- Privately owned hospice
- Non-profit hospice
What’s the Difference between Hospice and Palliative Care?
Both hospice and palliative care centers provide comfort to the patient but’s there is a distinction from each other that you must understand.
Palliative Care
Patients who are experiencing a severe illness regardless of age are being advised by medical practitioners to undergo palliative care. It is a type of care that deals with social, practical, emotional, spiritual challenges caused by a serious disease. In the palliative care facility, the patients receive treatment and necessary medications to aid in their recovery.
This service is applicable for those who have the following:
- Dementia
- HIV or AIDS
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Cancer
- Lung ailment
- Heart illness
- Kidney failure
Hospice Care
Hospice care can be given at home, in an inpatient hospital, or a dedicated facility rendering hospice support. The hospice facility is the ideal site for those who have given up in continuing their treatment or medication.
In the hospice center, you will frequently see people who are still well. They are required to be at the premise to receive the necessary assistance and care at the end of life. But take note that the hospice is an approach to care, not to tie someone to a specific place.
The best part about hospice care is that you have peace of mind that you loved ones will be surrounded by a team of professionals with skills to conduct proper approach to certain situations for the betterment of your elders. Choose the right facility accredited by Medicare to give your loved one adequate care, support, and assistance.
