Hospice services bring the support a family needs to promote dignity, provide relief to a loved one, and help everyone find closure in the circumstances.

A hospice team offers full-service solutions for end-of-life care: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The goal is to help a person live the best life possible, so the families have the opportunity to maximize the memories together.

What is Hospice Care?

These services are provided to a patient at the location of anywhere they call home: a private residence, assisted living, hospital, or nursing home. A hospice care team offers personalized support based on the unique needs of each patient.

Hospice services extend far beyond symptom and pain management. The overarching purpose is to offer support for both patients and their families: assistance with financial issues, education, hygiene and personal care, emotional support, spiritual connection, and respite for caregivers.

This specialized palliative care is designed for patients who have advanced illnesses and are nearing the end of life. When someone is no longer seeking curative treatment, hospice care is provided at the family’s request. This integrative approach aims to improve quality of life as much as possible.

Usually, hospice care is recommended for someone with six months or less to live. These services can be provided as long as a medical team or the patient’s doctor determines that a patient’s condition is life-limiting.

People receiving hospice care often have a diagnosis such as cancer, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, or kidney failure.

One important aspect of hospice care is to honor the person’s wishes. As a result, the person can enjoy their remaining time in comfort, often extending the time the patient can spend with their loved ones.

Benefits of At-Home Hospice Care

Hospice is a great way to prioritize the needs of the patient and includes comfort and ease for the family as well. Here is an overview of the benefits of choosing hospice care:

Benefit #1: Services in Your Desired Environment

When someone needs extra support, you want the flexibility to choose the environment and location where the person is spending their time. Hospitals are often the last choice because they are busy and hectic, making it hard for patients and families to relax.

Instead, medical care can be brought to a patient at home. As a result, you can enjoy a quiet, calm environment outside of an institutional setting.

Hospice comes to the patient in whatever location the patient chooses to call home.

Benefit #2: Comprehensive Care

Keep things simple by working with a single provider who coordinates all the care that a patient needs. Instead of the complicated scheduling with multiple providers, hospice provides a case manager who oversees the care plan.

This comprehensive care approach ensures that families focus on what matters most without worrying about the logistics for care and medical services.

All aspects of the patient’s illness and goals are addressed in one care plan. The case manager oversees everyone providing support to the patient, including nurses, doctors, health care aides, home care services, social workers, clergy, therapists, and more.

Benefit #3: Dignity for the Patient and Family

Everyone deserves the opportunity to end with dignity. Hospice services allow the patient to choose the environment and details for their last weeks and months.

Instead of being hooked up to a machine and poked at by medical professionals in a hospital, patients often find it more comfortable to stay at home with regular visits from nurses and doctors.

Through hospice care, patients feel like they have more control over the details of their life. Patients can choose the details and care services that support their preferences and goals.

Benefit #4: Personalized Support

Every patient has unique preferences, which means there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for designing an ideal hospice plan. Instead, hospice professionals dedicate the time to understanding the requests and preferences of each family.

Hospice addresses everything a patient needs, from meal planning to medication tracking and physical therapy. In addition, industry professionals come to the patient’s home to check on their well-being, ensuring that the person’s needs are always covered.

Benefit #5: Minimize Financial Strain on the Family

In-home hospice care helps to reduce the financial strain on the family as opposed to hospital-based hospice services. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance offer financial coverage for the cost of hospice.

The result: choosing hospice care can reduce the money the family needs to pay for services and support.

If you are considering hospice, then make sure to reach out to your insurance provider to learn more about available coverage. Most providers offer generous payments for these services.

Benefit #6: Patient-Focused Care

The goal of hospice care is to honor a patient’s wishes. Moving a patient from a hospital to hospice allows the family to step out of the stress and red-tape of being in a hospital environment.

With this change in care and location, families can focus more on the patient. The priority is placed on their preferences and needs, which changes the dynamic of care during this sensitive time.

Benefit #7: Support for the Whole Family

In addition to services for the patient, hospice care also includes the support that families need. While the patient’s needs are a priority, it’s just as important to consider how the family is affected by the situation.

Hospice is helpful to give families the support and guidance they need when navigating challenging decisions and a range of emotions. In addition, social workers can guide and educate families about available options.

Also, families receive grief counseling and bereavement services, as well as help with end-of-life tasks relating to funeral planning and other requirements.

Timing: When to Choose Hospice Care

For most families, choosing hospice care means that you can create a calming, peaceful experience during this challenging time. These personalized services are perfectly designed with the patient and family in mind, helping you navigate the details and focus on the things that matter most.

The timing varies, depending on the needs of each patient. If you would like to learn more about hospice services and decide on the right timing for your family, then reach out to our experienced team for more information.

At Avatar Healthcare, we specialize in a variety of solutions for patients and families: home health, hospice, and personal home care services. Contact us today: (844) 422-5528.