In-Home Hospice Care: Services For The Entire Family

Death is an experience that is often more difficult for the people who witness it than for those who experience it first hand. Saying good-bye to a person you love can be extremely emotional and may also leave you dealing with a variety of issues as well. For instance, it is quite common for spouses and children to experience financial difficulties after losing the primary breadwinner in the family.

Unfortunately, most end-of-life services will not provide any assistance with these familial issues. In-home hospice care is an exception to this rule:

What Is In-Home Hospice Care?

In-home hospice care is end-of-life care for individuals who are expected to pass on within a few months. The purpose of these services is to help both the patient and their family through the last few months of the patient's life. Since all hospice patients are considered terminal, the focus of this care will be on providing quality of life and comfort rather than on seeking a treatment for their illness.

How Does Hospice Care Address The Needs Of The Patient?

Patients who are receiving hospice care will typically be assigned a team of nurses or aides that will assist them during the final months of their life. This dedicated team of care providers will offer pain management services, counseling, and basic nursing services.

As the patient's condition worsens, their caregivers will also be able to coordinate with physicians in order to determine what measures can be taken to provide them with comfort in their final days. By implementing these services right in the patient's home, hospice caregivers are also able to provide the comfort and peace of mind that comes with knowing they will die surrounded by loved ones.

How Does Hospice Care Address The Needs Of The Family?

The same caregivers that are assigned to a specific patient will also provide care for the patient's family. Before the death of their loved one, this care will entail addressing any concerns that the family may have regarding their loved one's condition and providing them with the emotional comfort they need during this difficult time.

After their loved one has passed away, the hospice caregivers will continue to provide care for the family of the deceased for several weeks or even months when necessary. This care will typically be limited to emotional support and comfort. However, being able to share their emotional stress with the same people that helped their loved one make the transition from this life can often prove to be a comforting and healing experience.

To learn more, contact a hospice family care service with any other questions you might have.


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