A difficult time in a family’s lives is when it is time to start considering hospice care for a loved one. Hospice is a service that provides end of life care that allows the patient to feel comfort and peace of mind in their final days. These services include medical, psychological and emotional care to the patient and their families.
Who Gets Hospice Care?
To qualify for hospice services, one must no longer be able to benefit from any medical treatments. They also should be determined by a physician to have less than six months left to live. These individuals have the option to either receive hospice care in their homes, assisted living, nursing home or wherever they reside . The purpose of hospice is to allow the patient to have increased control over their end of life care and maintain dignity, as well as provide support to them and their families.
Preparing For Hospice
Once your family chooses a hospice care provider, it is time to prepare for the upcoming weeks. Before hospice begins, it is important to have a conversation with your loved one about what is important to them. This is the time to encourage them to share their feelings and to have other family members express their emotions to the patient as well. It may be hard to discuss, but you must remember that this is a time to say goodbye.
Keep in mind that your family member that is receiving hospice care may become less social. They may want to be alone with just a few people at a time. The most important thing during hospice is to respect your loved one’s wishes and do whatever makes them most comfortable. Speech will become more difficult and it may overwhelm them to have too many people in the room at once.
Even if your loved one spends great amounts of time asleep, keep them surrounded by loved ones. Talk about memories and good times spent with the loved one, they can still hear you!
Where Should I Go For Hospice Care?
The Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living offers hospice services through our very own Stein Hospice in Somerset, New Jersey.We also provide Hospice care in Middlesex, Union, and Northern Monmouth County. Our caring and compassionate team makes sure our patients are receiving the highest quality care at all times. We work hard to meet the unique needs of each and every patient, as well as their family members.
Want to learn more about our hospice care services and alternative therapy program? Contact Bruce Birnberg, LCSW, Executive Director, at (732) 227-1212 or email [email protected].