For any elderly facing a terminal illness, making the right decision about the end of life can be extremely difficult. Making an irrational decision not only affect the patient’s wellbeing and comfort but also impact the lives of their family or friends.

So it is imperative to plan ahead of time and educate yourself about caring hospice to make the right choice when the time comes. Hospice care is fast becoming an increasingly common treatment option but many people are still unaware of the benefits it provides.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is not a location unlike hospitals, senior living home or independent facilities, but caring hospice is a service that provides end-of-life care and support to the patient and his loved ones. When a patient sign up for hospice care, he agrees to stop all disease-fighting treatment, although some therapies may be allowed if they help manage the symptoms.

The primary goal of hospice care is to alleviate pain and the patient’s suffering. A team of health care professionals providing caring hospice include:

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Grief councilors
  • Social workers
  • Spiritual councilors
  • Home health aides
  • Volunteers

Hospice care professionals instruct the family on patient care and also provide special services such as psychological counseling or physical therapy.

How Much Care is Provided By Hospice Professionals

While many hospice care providers offer 24/7 care when the patient is in crisis, comprehensive care does not mean around-the-clock service. The hospice care professionals teach families how to care for the patient, answer questions and address their concerns without taking over the caregiving part.

While someone from the hospice care team will be available on call 24/7, the family needs to be involved for hour-to-hour and day-to-day care. This is the reason why hospice care is not for everyone.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Medicare pays for most hospice care for its beneficiaries. There are HMOs and private plan that may also cover the cost of hospice care. So before you begin your hospice care search, make sure to check with your insurer to learn more about what’s covered and what’s not.

In some cases, the patient may be required to co-pay for medications, respite care or inpatient facility care. Additionally, caring hospice also provides financial help to families in need.

Where do I Get Hospice Care?

Unlike independent living facilities or senior living homes, hospice care is not a place. This often leaves people confused as to where can they get hospice care. A majority of patient choose to receive hospice care at their home. For patients who can’t be cared for at home, they can receive hospice care at specially designated sections in the hospital or at nursing homes.

Are all Hospice the Same?

No, hospice care can vary greatly. Inspiration Hospice helps patients and their family receives care when they need it the most. Hospice care is focused on helping patients and their families have better quality of life by preventing and relieving troubling symptoms and side effects of serious illness.

At Inspiration Hospice, we believe that nothing is more important than delivering compassionate and loving care to our patients and families. To learn more about caring hospice, call (385) 247-2020 today!