Hospice has many misconceptions around it. So we try to answer the most frequently asked questions about it to clarify its meaning. Indeed, this article is for those who have loved ones with terminal illnesses and are confused about what steps to take next. One thing is for sure you want to do your best to care about them and relieve their pain and symptoms. That’s when hospice may help. Your Hospice team of doctors, social workers, nurses, and home health aides will ensure you take proper care of your patients.
What is hospice? Does it mean you stop getting medical treatment?
Hospice is also known as end-of-life care, providing physical, psychological, and spiritual care to terminally ill patients. Some people think hospice means giving up on medical treatment, but this is where the misconception occurs. In fact, hospice focuses on the quality of life of the patients, making sure to relieve the pain and make their remaining life as enjoyable as possible.
When Do You Become Eligible For Hospice Care?
Hospice care is for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness with 6 months or less remaining life. However, choosing hospice care doesn’t mean you don’t need to get medical treatment. Indeed, if during hospice care your diagnosis gets better and you choose to shift to medical treatment again, you are more than welcome to do it.
Where Do You Get Hospice Care?
Hospice has four levels of care, half of which you can get at home. Routine Home Care and Continuous Home Care make sure you get the needed assistance at home. Routine Home Care is considered to be the most common level of hospice care when patients get nursing and health aide services at home. Continuous Home Care is for more severe cases when the patients need constant nursing care at home. The last two levels, namely General Inpatient Care and Respite care, are provided in special facilities during the crisis of the illness. The facilities may include nursing homes, hospice centers, and other long-term care places.
What Happens When You Get Hospice Care?
Your hospice team designs a special plan to control the patients’ symptoms and relieve the pain. There would be constant check-ins 24/7 to make sure that the patient feels better. The doctor from the team will provide medical care together with nurses, and other team members like counselors and social workers will ensure the mental health of the patient gets better as well. Aides will help with dressing, bathing, cleaning, and cooking. The hospice team also brings in all the medicine and medical equipment needed.
How Do You Find a Good Hospice Program?
Finding hospice care in California is not an easy task. One of the best hospice care providers you can find is MD Choice Hospice, which provides high-quality services to significantly improve the patients and caregivers’ life quality.
If you need to choose hospice care, MD Choice Hospice Care is here to assist you.
Feel free to contact us. Take care of you and your relatives.