The Pros and Cons of Hospice Care
What it is, where to find it, what to expect, and who will pay
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is generally for those who have six months or less to live. Care at this stage focuses on relieving symptoms rather than curing. The goal is to make the patient as comfortable as possible and to help prepare the patient and family for the patient's death.
Where Can I find Hospice Care?
Families can be referred to a hospice by a doctor or hospital, or they can find the nearest one on their own at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization web site or call National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's Help Line at 800.568.8898.
What Can I Expect From Hospice Care?
Usually hospice personnel will come to your home to do an assessment and then provide the care in your home. It mainly consists of making the patient as comfortable as possible, and also includes conversations with the patient and the family to help them have meaningful and sustaining final interactions. Personnel include a team of social workers, therapists, clergy and volunteers, in addition to nurses and doctors.
Will I Be Able to Provide the Care My Loved One Needs At Home?
Hospice workers can train you to provide the care needed.
How Difficult Will the Final Six Months Be?
They can be increasingly difficult depending upon your loved one's illness. People handle the end stages of illness in different ways. It is usually necessary not to leave the patients alone as they become increasingly sick or weakened. Be aware that as their health deteriorates, they may experience changes in their mental status. Hospice can help you through this process, which can be just as difficult for the caregivers as it is for the person who is ill.
Who Pays?
Most insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid cover the costs of hospice care.
Will I Need Special Equipment?
The hospice representative will assess what equipment is needed and help you arrange to get it. Much of the cost is covered by insurance.
Does Hospice Care End When My Loved One Dies?
Most hospices sponsor bereavement groups for family and friends and many periodically call family of the deceased to see how they are doing.
Pros of Hospice
- Most patients prefer to die at home, without unnecessary interventions, and hospice care grants them this wish.
- Hospice care usually succeeds in keeping patients pain free.
- Acknowledging that the end of life is approaching gives family members and the patient an opportunity to come to terms with the death and to address unresolved emotional issues. Hospice workers are trained to facilitate this psychological process.
Cons of Hospice
- The patient and family must acknowledge that the patient is dying, with less than six months to live.
- Care now focuses on relieving symptoms rather than producing a cure.
- Providing the care for your loved one can be emotionally difficult and exhausting, and may require you to give up other activities during this time period.
You need to decide if hospice care is right for you.
Resources
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
More Senior Care Services
- Call a Care.com Senior Care Advisor for assistance: 855-490-8679
- Join in on Senior Care Conversations now! Read our informative Senior Care Blog.
Ronnie Friedland is an editor at Care.com. She has co-edited three books on parenting and interfaith family life.
|
You May Also Like:
|
Connect with Care.com
Find the senior care your loved one deserves
Get a FREE security system when you order an award-winning monitoring service from Protect America.
Over 900,000 Procedures Performed. Get 20% off LASIK today! Locations Nationwide.
Care.com HomePaySM handles your household payroll and taxes without work, worry or risk.
Get a Cash Offer Good for 30 Days! Free Shipping + Fast Payment. Lock in a Risk-Free Offer Today!
Hospice aside, what is the best In-Home Health Care (we use to have 7 to 7 (12 hour home health care but now have reverted to LIVE-IN, meaning, someone awake and having to be aware (due to my mother) at all times.
This new care is going to cost us (projecting for a six month period for both aroud $600,000 a year....do you have any suggestions...
I could move in with them, however, I would be the first one to be taken to the hospital due to the stress and misery over the situation....I won't be able to survive it....any advise would be an absolute blessing...Thank you, Debra (the daughter)
Take care,
Jill
When he signed the papers, he unknowingly signed away all decision making to the POAs. He had to give up physical therapy and allow hospice and the POAs to decide when and if he can go to the doctors. Its now a struggle between sisters (POA and Non POA) to allow him to see the eye doctor to change his medicine. This not the only instance of struggle to see a doctor when treatment was required. Once in hospice, its self pay for these doctors.