Plan for Hospice care
Planning ahead for hospice care ensures that the patient receives the right level of care and support as soon as they are eligible.
Although it might be difficult at first, it’s better to plan ahead and start the hospice conversation early.
Planning ahead for hospice care provides you with the opportunity to pause for a moment to reflect on where you are today and consider what the future may hold.
This affords you the time and space to think, talk about and plan for what is meaningful and matters most to you and your loved ones before you are in the midst of a health crisis.
While planning ahead for hospice care, it is important to understand that hospice isn’t about dying, it’s about living life to the fullest with meaning, purpose and the highest quality of life possible.
With proper planning, you’ll have confidence and peace of mind knowing your loved one is well cared for allowing you to focus on making special memories and valuing the time you have with them.
The earlier you start the planning and conversations about hospice care, the more prepared and confident you will be in choosing one that will care for your loved one as much as you do.
Here are a few things patients need to know about planning ahead for hospice care so that they can be ready when the time comes:
Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient resides:
Quite a number of people think of hospice as a place to which you go, more like a “hospice house” While in-patient exists,
hospice care can be provided wherever the patient resides, including family homes and assisted living facilities.
This means the patient can remain in a comfortable environment surrounded by loved ones.
Options for in-patient care:
Patients being cared for at home may need to go to an inpatient unit for management of complicated symptoms or to give their family respite.
While planning ahead for hospice care, the hospice should be checked for in-patient care.
Provision of respite care
Caring for someone with a serious illness can be exhausting and at times, challenging.
In addition to home hospice care and in-patient care when symptoms prove unmanageable at home, hospices also offer respite care (periodic breaks for the caregiver) and continuous nursing care at home for brief periods at the patient’s home when family caregivers are unable to manage their own.Ask the hospice under what conditions the hospice provides these types of care.
Not all hospice is created equal:
Questions should be asked in order to find the best hospice provider that is the best fit.
The questions to be asked includes:
- Do they offer unique programs?
- How long is the admission process?
- Do they provide additional services for veterans?
- Will they provide care on the weekend?
- Is the hospice open 24 hrs?
- Will a member of the hospice care team be with the patient in their final moments?
Planning ahead for hospice care makes the whole process a whole lot easier.
How can I get started with hospice care for my loved one?
Please call us
818-644-5357 to discuss your loved one’s needs and schedule an assessment to determine eligibility and develop a personalized care plan.
