Preparing a Loved One for Hospice Care

As a family member or loved one is nearing the end of their life, it may be time to consider care options. Hospice care may be something you’re looking at to give comfort to your loved one through this difficult time. Phoenix Home Care discusses how to prepare a family member or loved one for hospice care.

What Is Hospice?

Hospice care is a service provided to those who are at the end of their life. Usually, they’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness or a condition that will cause them to pass away in a short time. These next few weeks or months of life are used to give them quality care and comfort to prepare them for passing on.

Services

Typically, the patient’s home is equipped with the supplies a caregiver will need to provide quality care. They will perform tasks such as:

  • On call nursing 24 hours a day seven days a week
  • Spiritual counseling
  • Scheduled visits to assist with personal care needs
  • Provide companionship
  • Administering medication
  • And more!

How Do I Prepare My Home?

If you decide to proceed with hospice care, most patients will typically stay in their home. While this is the traditional method (and there are alternatives), many steps are required to ensure maximum comfort and accessibility for the patient and caretaker.  

Caregiver Preparation

Whether it’s family or a separate caregiver, the person in charge of looking after your loved one should be accommodated. The caregiver will need an appropriate workspace to provide the necessary comfort and care. Due to the patient’s conditions, they may need special medical equipment such as a chair lift or a walk-in tub. For a caregiver to offer the best quality assistance, they need the appropriate tools to perform their job. Before the caregiver begins their job, make sure the home is organized and equipped with any necessary supplies.

If you’re using a hospice service, be sure to meet with the caregiver and discuss what you expect of them and what duties you wish for them to fulfill. Have them perform an assessment of the patient and fill out any paperwork or admissions procedures they require.

Ensure Patient Comfort

As the home they’re in may be the last place the patient stays, the environment should be in a quiet and comfortable state. As you’re preparing the home for hospice care, consult with your loved one about what they would prefer the home environment to be like. Do they want complete silence? Dimmer lighting? Since they will most likely be in bed for the majority of the day, it’s good to consider these comforts to make sure they receive the best quality of care.

Make the Home Accessible

While the patient may not be moving around frequently, obstructions in the area should be removed to avoid any accidental falls. Obstructions can include decor, furniture, or other items that may be in the way when transporting the patient.

Choose Phoenix Home Care

Phoenix Home Care provides a variety of home health services, including hospice care. If your loved one is nearing the end of their life, make their last few months enjoyable and comfortable with us. With high-quality home care, our staff will make sure your loved one rests easy. Contact us today to learn more about the hospice services we offer.

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