Hospice is generally perceived as a grave word for many people because it conjures up images of death in one’s mind. But this misconception stems from a lack of awareness of what hospice is and how it might benefit sick patients and their families. The most common misconception about hospice care is that the family has given up and that hospice is a final surrender. Hospice, however, simply allows people to prioritize the patient’s and family’s needs and requests. It is a type of specialized treatment and assistance that aims to make the patient and their family feel at ease and comfortable. Here are some of the benefits of hospice care to know about:
Hospice Entails A Whole Care Team
Hospice care is a comprehensive care strategy with a team of medical and health care specialists who handle all elements of a patient’s condition with an emphasis on controlling and minimizing pain and discomfort during the patient’s final months and days. Doctors, nurses, therapists, health care aides, clergy, social workers, and other professionals can all be a part of a patient’s hospice care team. Hospice treatment helps to relieve the burden on families because hospice experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing the family to relax in between visits. They can provide everything a patient requires.
Hospice Lessens the Financial Burden On Patients & Families
Hospital fees can place a stressful financial burden on many families. However, out-of-pocket expenditures can be greatly decreased under hospice management, and Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance providers can assist in covering hospice treatment for patients. Check with your insurance provider to see which aspects of hospice care are covered and what types of financing options are available for you or your loved one.
Hospice Provides Counseling
The importance of guidance and support cannot be overstated. Hospice provides counseling from social workers and religious leaders to help patients and families deal with the wide array of emotions and concerns that they have during this time. In addition, hospice will also provide mourning and grief counseling to the family after their loved one has passed, as well as assistance with some of the post-death duties that must be accomplished.
Patients’ Wishes Are Respected
This is an important part of hospice treatment. Families can focus on spending time with their loved ones when they place a loved one in hospice care. Hospice provides an opportunity for patients to leave with dignity. Moreover, patients in hospice aren’t hooked up to loud equipment, they aren’t probed or prodded by medical workers every hour, and aren’t subjected to invasive treatments that are meant to extend their lives. They can just focus on living out their last months or days as comfortably as possible and spending time with their families.
If you’re looking to learn more about in-home hospice care or palliative care, then feel free to contact Health Star Home Health, the best in-home hospice care team in Hermantown MN, today.