Terminal illness has several challenges associated with it.
Emotional stress, Financial burden of loss of income and treatment. Most of the
time hospice care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Other options may
include commercial insurance, Out of pocket payment and Department of Veteran
affairs.
How to choose a Hospice service for your loved ones
To select Hospice service you must consider the following points:
Is hospice program is
accredited or certified? This helps to determine the quality and standards
of care.
Do they have Medical
director who is specialized in palliative care? This makes care reliable
as these physicians are trained to provide hospice care under latest
guidelines.
Do they have pharmacist
in their team to makes sure that medications are managed properly? Having
dedicated pharmacist helps to keep the high quality of medication
management.
How they manage after
hours care? Some Hospice companies do not provide regular care after
business hours. So it is better to pick a company which has option of
after hours care available whenever it is needed.
Do they offer family
support program? Many hospice provide respite care for the family members
and caregivers. It always recommended to choose a company which has
respite care option available for the clients.
Do they offer spiritual
care? Many hospice companies have Chaplin available for spiritual needs.
Do they allow smooth
transfer of service to another hospice company in case it is needed? Some
times transfer of care is needed. Always find out if they facilitate
transfer of care in case it is needed.
How they will cover the
cost of hospice care? Discuss all options of payment to make sure that it
does not case additional burden on family.
Do they have bereavement
services available? It is very important for many families after patient
expires. This service can help family recover from the trauma of the
loss of a family member.
What services will be
included and supplies will be included? It is recommended
To discuss the details
of services and supplies to make sure that you get maximum benefit for
your loved one.
All people have individual journeys
to death; they can differ from steadily declining or fading instantly. However,
it is crucial to note that as death nears you must be comforting, reassuring,
and present for your loved one. Calming words and procedures will assist your
loved one with importance and ease.
When your
loved one's health care professional realizes that he or she is nearing death
within the next six months, then they may advise hospice care. Hospice care is
a specialized health assistance arrangement for people with a terminal ailment
that are expected to pass away. Benefits of hospice include emotional and
spiritual support while your loved one receives pain relief and comfort.
The
symptoms of nearing death are a prevalent part of dying and, differences that
evolve along with death is when the body stops operating. Every individual
according to their age variation has a unique and similar way of dying. While
it may be harder to predict the death symptoms of children and teens these both
groups have ways of dying that are alike. The symptom of nearing death for
children and teens are asking a lot of tough-to-answer questions and staying
somewhat active.
One to
three months ahead of death your loved one may also speak less (however if they
are a child, more) withdraw from people and quit doing stuff they used to
appreciate, have a loss of appetite, and sleep more. Although, one to two weeks
before death your loved one may experience indications feeling fatigued and
exhausted all the time to the point of not wanting to leave their bed.
Your loved
one can also experience, confusion or seem to be bewilderment. They may also
have occasional congested breathing from the build up in the back of their
throat. People nearing death will also have body temperature fluctuations that
may leave their skin cool, warm, moist, or pale.
The
challenging aspect of a loved impending death is bidding farewell to them.
Therefore it is best to allow family members and close friends to know about
the nearing of a loved one's death because being together will provide
comforting support. Furthermore, the health care team professionals can assist
you in arrangement for guidance and emotional support.
Work Cited
“What to Expect When Your Loved One
Is Dying.” WebMD, WebMD,
Caregivers looking after patients with deadly dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimers or Parkinsons encounter various challenges of hardship. A variety of difficulties associated amidst caring for dementia patients are providing emotional or spiritual comfort, making plans for the end of life, and focusing on advance directives. Therefore, keeping in mind the possibilities of trials alongside Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is crucial to support your loved one.
Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disease that restricts memory recollection. However, Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that limits the reproduction of a chemical called dopamine. Due to Parkinson’s disease patients suffer stiffness and complexity of movement. Caregivers supporting patients with dementia will possibly struggle to provide emotional or spiritual comfort because of the illnesses symptoms. Varying manifestations like memory loss, becoming unfamiliar with family members, and pain leads to insufficient emotional or spiritual solace for the patient from the caregiver.
Making plans for the end of life is also a delicate responsibility of the caregiver because of dementia-related illnesses. During the occurrence of unexpected illnesses, caregivers assisting suffering patients need to plan for the future in most careful way available. Caregivers need to keep in mind both the disability of the patient and their desires about the end of life decisions. Another tragic aspect of being a dedicated caregiver is dealing with advanced directives of the terminally ill patient. Advanced directives are legal documents that need to be completed by the patient. Caregivers nursing dementia related-illness patients will have to make intelligent decisions about legal health documents.
Accompanying a loved one who suffers from dementia-related illnesses is not a comfortable obligation to withstand, however having patience alongside with every decision made will allow you to find the strength of closure.
Work Cited
“End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia.” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov/health/end-life-care-people-dementia.
Hospice care is available
for patients that are terminally ill and do not have more than six months to
live. The best way to accommodate declining health is transitioning to
hospice care. Benefits of hospice care consist of following a designated health
care program tailored for you by your healthcare team, staying at home during
two of the four levels of hospice care, and concentrating on quality of life. A
great way to live beyond the turbulence of health with comfort is by relying on
hospice care. The flexibility of hospice care
serves patients 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Hospice care
representatives work very reliably with patients to satisfy the requirements of
their care plan. Staying at home during the first two levels of hospice care
allows the patient to have access to home health aide assistance and nursing.
After routine home care, patients will have the opportunity for continuous home
care in case of intensive medical conditions. Hospice care has a professional
variety of staff such as doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers,
chaplains, and volunteers. With the cooperation of accredited organizations
like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, hospice programs
assure quality care and service to their patients.
Hospice and Palliative care improve the quality of life of the
terminally ill patient. It includes pain management, depression management,
Social engagement, spiritual activities, management of symptoms which help to
improve the quality of life but do not attempt to cure the terminal illness.
Hospice and Palliative care does not tend to increase the lifespan
or cure the terminal illness. It helps patients to die with the least pain and
emotional distress. Hospice care also helps families to handle the stress of
loss of loved ones.
Following are Public health changes to provide End of Life Care
1.How
easily End of life care is available to the population:
Percentage of terminally ill
patients who utilize Hospice or Palliative care in the USA is lower than
in many developed countries. In the last few years, Hospice services have
been evolved as Home-based care, Inpatient care, Hospital-based care, and
based in Assisted Living, Nursing home and independent senior living.
Medicare and Medicaid cover Hospice and Palliative care expenses.
2.
Effectiveness Care
Another challenge of public
health is the effectiveness of Hospice care. Following questions have to
answer to check the effectiveness of Hospice and Palliative care.
Does
palliative care is adequate to minimize the pain of the patient?
Does
Hospice care diagnose and treat all conditions which help patients to
improve the quality of end of life care?
Does
Hospice care reduces the mental stress and improve emotional state of the
patient.
Does Hospice care effectively reduce the mental
stress of the family members due to the loss of a loved one?
Hospice care in Dallas is easily accessible as
it is available in the form of home-based care, Hospital-based care, Inpatient
hospice based and based in other institutions like senior living, Nursing homes
and Assisted Living.
Pain management in hospice care is not
just keeping the patient on a heavy dose of analgesics. Normally, Doctors,
trained nurses are involved in this care process to make an end of life less
painful. Hospice care does not encourage any treatment to recover from terminal
illness, but it covers everything which can make the quality of life better.
Physical therapy may be helpful to
overcome muscular pain and making patient independent for movement. This
approach can reduce the pain and improve the quality of end of life.
Occupational therapy can also help to
reduce the muscular pain and improve the ability to perform activities using
upper limbs. This approach can help to improve the quality of life and reduce
the pain in muscles and joints.
Spiritual exercises and practices can also
help to reduce the stress and pain as patient’s acceptance of death improves
with the involvement of spiritual counseling.
Dietitians can also help to make an end of
life experience less painful by planning diet which has a positive effect on
health and reduce any discomfort related to diet.
Sometimes it is not easy to control pain
just by using pain medicines. With the involvement of Physical therapy,
Occupational therapy, Spiritual counselor, and dietitian can also help
physicians to make an end of life care less painful and better quality.
The word death comes from Old English
dēaþ, which in turn comes from Proto-Germanic *dauþuz (reconstructed by
etymological analysis). This comes from the Proto-Indo-European stem *dheu-
meaning the "process, act, condition of dying".
Death is the center of many traditions and organizations; customs relating to
death are a feature of every culture around the world. Much of this revolves
around the care of the dead, as well as the afterlife and the disposal of
bodies upon the onset of death. The disposal of human corpses does, in general,
begin with the last offices before a significant time has passed, and
ritualistic ceremonies often occur, most commonly burial or cremation. This is
not a unified practice; in Tibet, for instance, the body is given a sky burial
and left on a mountaintop. Proper preparation for death and techniques and
ceremonies for producing the ability to transfer one's spiritual attainments
into another body (reincarnation) are subjects of detailed study in Tibet. Mummification
or embalming is also prevalent in some cultures, to retard the rate of decay.
How mindfulness can redefine pain, depression, anxiety, happiness, and satisfaction in Hospice patients
We born
in different environments, Conditions, and opportunities in life. Experience of
every individual is different from other in many ways. For our understanding,
we can consider Education, wealth, family life, friends, legacy as different
forms of achievements of life. We associate our happiness with these
achievements and spend time in worrying about how to achieve them. We are only
happy for a short period of time after every achievement and most of our life
we are worried about seeking achievement to be happy.
Mind
fullness is to observe yourself in present with intention, compassion,
gratefulness and without judgment. If we train our brain to observe ourselves
in present and start realizing the blessings we have, we can easily tolerate
daily challenges, stresses, pains and problems of the life.
Dying
patients have some common challenges which are the pain, depression
hopelessness. These problems can easily be handled with the help of
mindfulness. Daily 30 minutes meditation When we should not have any regrets
about past and worries about facing death, be with your present and pay
attention to another day of your life you got, remove all negativities from
your mind, wishing well for everyone and be grateful to your God.
Daily
meditation with mindfulness can help dying patient to enjoy every day of the
end of life phase, help to reduce pain, worries and depression problems. It
helps to be happy and satisfied with the existing situation. We all must die one day but we do not train
ourselves for that phase which is a reality and greatest truth of the life.
Hospice Care is
professional medical care with a focus on pain management and symptom relief
with respect and dignity. Hospice teams of professionals and volunteers also
address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and the whole
family. Hospice care is design to give relief to patient and love ones.
1.Hospice care really means give up all efforts.
No,
hospice care aims to provide comfort with dignity to someone who has been told
that nothing can be done. If person has no chances of survival still quality of
life can be improved. Love ones can be trained to handle stress and changes
going on. In a broader picture hospice care minimize the negative impact of
death on society.
2. Hospice care help only cancer or Aids patients
only.
No,
hospice care is not limited to cancer or Aids. It includes many other
life-limiting illnesses such as end-stage heart, lung or kidney disease, or
Alzheimer’s and other dementia's. It is always recommended for family members to
consult physician or Hospice social worker to check if patient qualify for the
hospice care.
3.Hospice is a place where people go to die.
It
is true for inpatient hospice, most of the hospice clients receive this service
at private residences, assisted living communities, hospitals and
long-term-care facilities. Some patients and family members prefer to stay home
and some prefer to utilize hospice service in institutional setting.
4.Receiving
hospice care means patient is going to die shortly.
Hospice
care does not accelerate the process of death and it does not help to prolong
the life. It only improves the quality of remaining life. Many patients in
hospice care get well and go back to their normal life. There many patients who
have received hospice care several times in their lives. So, we cannot say that
hospice care always means that patient is going to die.
5.Hospice care will not allow me to keep my
physician
No,
your physician can be involved in your care. Hospice physician (Medical
director has legal responsibilities so he must be involved)
6.It is doctor responsibility to recommend
hospice care.
It
is better that family members or love ones initiate discussion because
sometimes it upsetting for families if doctor initiate this discussion. Patient
himself, or family members can consult Hospice social worker to find if patient
meets the criteria for the hospice care.
7. Patient cannot quit hospice program.
If
patient condition improves or due to any reason patient can quit hospice care
and can rejoin when meet the eligibility.
8.Patient can’t receive other treatment with
hospice care.
Patient
can receive other treatment, if care improves the quality of life and does not
prolong life.
9. It
must for patient to have DNR to receive hospice care
No
10.To be eligible for hospice, I have to be in
the final stages of dying.
Hospice patients and families receive care for
an unlimited amount of time, depending upon the course of the illness. There is
no fixed limit on the amount of time a patient may continue to receive hospice
services.
11.Reliable care at the end of life is very
expensive.
Medicare
beneficiaries pay little or nothing for hospice. For those ineligible for
Medicare, most insurance plans, HMO’s, and managed care plans cover hospice
care.
12.Families are not able to care for people with
terminal illnesses.
Family
members are encouraged, supported, and trained by hospice professionals to care
for their loved ones. Hospice staff is on call to the patient and their
families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help family and friends care for
their loved ones.
13.Hospice is just for the elderly.
No,
Hospice is for anyone facing a terminal illness, regardless of age. Children,
Adults and elderly patients all can receive hospice care if they meet the
criteria of hospice care.
14.Hospice care ends after patient’s death.
No,
it does not always end after patient’s death. Bereavement services and grief
support are available to family members for up to one year after the death of a
patient. Many families face emotional issues after the death of love ones.
Hospice care is available to resolve those issues. We may say hospice care has
healing effects on emotions of patient and love ones.
15.Hospice Care is only for people who can
accept death.
It
is not necessary. Hospice patient must accept that now he does not want medical
treatment which can lead to the recovery. While those affected by terminal
illness struggle to come to terms with death, hospices gently help them find
their way at their own speed. Many hospices welcome inquiries from families who
are unsure about their needs and preferences. It is always recommended to
contact your physician and hospice social worker to get advice. Hospice staff
are readily available to discuss all options and to facilitate family
decisions.
How we
know if this is a time to seek Hospice Help
Most of
the time family members realize that it is time to seek Hospice service but
they are afraid of hurting dying love one with an impression of losing hope.
This is not the right approach, Hospice care involves support of the qualified,
trained and professional team to handle all aspects of the patient care for
dying patient. They are also trained to help family members to handle this
situation in the best possible way. Hospice care is covered by Medicare and
Medicaid. The Patient needs to agree in writing to stop efforts to cure illness.
To start hospice care physician must confirm that life expectancy of the
patient is less than six months.
Hospice
patient has right to receive care with preference respect. One of the common
situation is a place of death. Some patients want to die at home and some
choose inpatient facility.
Many
patients want relatives and friends around when they are near to the death.
This helps them to release stress and gain the courage to face the death.
A
Comfortable environment is also an important preference of the hospice patient.
Family members, Caregivers and the objects in surrounding make an
environment. Patients feel more comfortable in the environment which they like.
Patients
also look for individualized experience as every on perceive death differently.
It is good if we find out how a patient thinks about death and what can make
death more satisfying and comfortable. Personalize care can include food,
dressing, activities, socialization and legacy.
Nursing care is the one of the most important element of
Hospice care. It won’t be wrong to say that nurses are the face of Hospice Care. Communicating with
family, Hospice management, Doctor, Social Worker and providing direct care to
the patient are all nursing roles. An ideal Hospice nurse is not limited to the
Care Plan, she must think critically
for family issues related to the hospice patients, patient needs, changes in
patient conditions and everything which can make end of life care excellent.
Nurse can play important role when patient is passing
through the various stages of Death educating
patient and family members and engaging them in meaningful thoughts can make
this time less severe. Infect helping family members and patients has direct
effect on quality of care and indirectly it is an excellent tool for personal
marketing. These family members who had good experience for nursing which is
beyond the plan of care will spread word of mouth in community about the
quality of care.
Role of Nursing care
in addressing Psychological needs of Dying patient
Providing relief from Loneliness, fear and depression is the
important value which nurse can add to improve the quality of Hospice care. In
the same way, spiritual needs, creating feeling of security, self-esteem,
dignity and hope are all attributes of quality hospice care.
Role of Nursing in
management of symptoms of Dying patient
Reducing the severity of symptoms to make dying experience
less painful is another attribute of quality hospice care. Common symptom and
related issues management includes but not limited to Respiratory
symptoms, eating, drinking, Urine passing, Stool passing, immobility, Sleep,
cleaning and grooming. Imagine when relative see dying love one in peace with a
clean body and dress will experience less pain contrast to the scenario when
patient looks full of pain and body and dress are not clean.
Role of Nursing after
Death
After Breaking bad
news is announced, documentation for regulatory and record purpose, keeping
body look clean, Organ donation related formalities, helping family members in
getting funeral services and providing family an opportunity to have time with
dead body for rituals or emotional satisfaction.
Observing Ameriprime Hospice nursing care I have no doubt that is
the best hospice in the Dallas.
AtAmeriprime Hospice, we endeavor to make our patients and family members receive excellent service through compassionate care with dignity and respect. Our team of professionals, including the Interdisciplinary Team understands the importance of delivering the most efficient service and highest quality medical care for our patients, as well as spiritual and psychosocial support for our patients, caregivers and their family members.
We design our services to be relevant in response to the holistic needs of our patients, caregivers and families while respecting individual choices, values and beliefs. We pride ourselves in upholding our commitment to the members of the community we serve by continuously being responsive to multicultural and changing needs of the society. We believe that hospice is about life, not about death and we are committed to you and your family during this difficult time.
It is for these reasons we believe we are the best Hospice in the Dallas area, we service the entireDFWarea includingDallas, Plano, RichardsonandFort Worth. For those patients with Medicare or Medicaid we offer FREE services. To learn more about AmeriPrime Hospice, give us a call today at 1-800-899-9790.
Formally speaking, hospice care is that which can be provided to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. Rather than seeking a cure, hospice care aims to make their remaining time with us as comfortable and as meaningful as possible. This may mean pain relief and nursing care, but also includes emotional support and help with everyday tasks.
Under this broader way of thinking about end of life care, the needs of family, friends, and caregivers are also taken into account. Center for Hospice Care recognizes that loved ones are also on a difficult journey and may benefit from support, expert advice, and services that we can provide.
Inpatient, outpatient, and respite care
When most people think of hospice care, they think of an inpatient facility or hospital. Hospice can provide inpatient care for those in nursing or other facilities but we can also help those who wish to remain in their own homes. Many people want to stay in a familiar environment and remain as close as possible to loved ones. We believe hospice care should be available where the patient lives, no matter where that is.
Understandably, providing care to a terminally ill person can be emotionally difficult and physically stressful. Hospice services can include respite care, where we offer caregivers a short break to rest and recharge.
Hospice services after a patient has died For those left behind, Center for Hospice Care continues to provide assistance. We offer a range of bereavement support services for adults and children.
