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Understanding Hospice Care Options When the End Is Nigh

Terminal illness is hard to accept, no matter what stage of life someone is in. When you, or someone you love, gets sick, you always expect them to get better eventually. Unfortunately, there are times when that doesn’t happen. End-of-life care is a sensitive subject, but it is one that needs to be addressed, so everyone is on the same page. This includes the patient, their medical care team, and the family. When an individual no longer wishes to pursue active treatment, or their doctors confirm it is no longer effective, hospice care can make the last phase of life as comfortable and restful as possible. Understanding Hospice Care options can make the process less stressful when the end is nigh.

If you are in need of additional information, let’s go over some important hospice care options.

In this article posted on Bradley University, you may also wish to learn about ethical issues that can arise with end-of-life care. 

patient in hospice care nearing end

Understanding Hospice Care Options When the End Is Nigh

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

Often the terms palliative care and hospice care (NIH) are used at the same time, and it can be confusing to know the difference.

Palliative care does treat those with a serious illness with the goal of improving the quality of life and relief of symptoms.

Like hospice, palliative care also includes more than medical treatment.

Palliative care also provides emotional and social support.

It brings together a team of doctors, nurses, clergy, nutritionists, and social workers.

In addition, palliative treatment can be done in both an inpatient setting and at home.

The biggest difference between the two is that palliative works with the premise that the illness is long-term manageable (NCBI).

It is not an end-of-life service.

Hospice steps in when the doctors have determined that the illness is no longer responding to treatment and nothing is left to try.

This decision is usually reached when the patient is expected to have 6 months or less to live.

How to Know When It Is Time

Depending on the illness, a focused plan has been in place to try and resolve the problem.

It could be chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis, or other treatments and medication.

At some point in certain situations, it becomes evident that these efforts are no longer effective, and the patient is at the last stage of life (WebMD). 

When this occurs, a delicate but sincere discussion should allow the individual to transition to comfort care and symptom management while preparing themselves and the family for the inevitable outcome. 

There are also occasions when an individual chooses voluntarily to enter hospice care.

This usually takes place when they no longer wish to continue treatment, and wish to live out their lives on their own terms.

heart shape in palm of hands being held by hands

 

How Does Hospice Work? 

Once the decision is made to discontinue treatment and enter into hospice care, a team is put together to formulate a plan.

This plan includes meeting the patient’s medical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

There are professionals from each field who work with the patient directly. 

The ultimate goal of hospice is to allow the patient to maintain dignity (NCBI) and have a say in their final days.

Comfort care includes pain management, treating breathing issues, and dealing with nausea problems.

This allows the patient to focus their attention and energy on spending precious and valuable time with their friends and family. 

The hospice team sets up regular visits on a rotating schedule, so all the needs are met promptly.

Should new issues arise or existing ones worsen, there is always someone available 24/7 to make sure everyone is comfortable.  

There is additional helpful information from the National Hospice Foundation

caregiver pushing hospice care patient

Hospice Care Options

There are several options when it comes to hospice care.

The decision on where and how to begin hospice depends greatly on the patient, their condition, and their wishes. 

Inpatient Hospice Care

Some individuals benefit from inpatient hospice care.

This usually happens when the treatment of the symptoms requires around-the-clock monitoring.

This is best handled in a hospital or nursing home setting. 

There are specific hospice care facilities that are dedicated to the comfort and needs of only terminally ill patients.

They are specifically trained in these situations and offer caring and concentrated support. 

Home-Based Hospice Care 

Many people opt for hospice care at home and choose to live out their days in familiar surroundings.

In these cases, while there is still tremendous support from the hospice care team, there is typically someone who is the primary caregiver and stays all the time with the patient. 

A plan is made for daily care.

This includes nutrition, personal needs, medical supplies, counseling, and even spiritual guidance.

The patient gets the attention they need and are able to have visitors in the comfort of their own home. 

woman in hospital bed

 

Support for Caregivers

While the obvious priority is the patient’s care, hospice also puts a great emphasis on the caregiver’s support (AARP).

They understand the physical and emotional strain involved in dealing with someone in their last life phase. 

Hospice offers counseling to help caregivers understand what to expect and to sort out their feelings.

There are also resources to step in and give caregivers time off to take care of their own personal business and even take a break from the overwhelming stress

The Tough Decisions

According to AARP, end-of-life conversations are difficult, and most people are not prepared for the tough decisions that need to be made. 

When the treatment of an illness or disease has stopped being effective, the doctor or medical team often suggests the transition to hospice.

This allows the patient to live comfortably and in peaceful surroundings for the rest of their days. 

Fortunately, many hospice care options are available today with great support for the patient and their families.

If you, or someone you love, are facing this situation, please know great resources are available.

butterfly leaving had symbolizing life ending

How to Handle Ethical Issues

Life and death involve varying ethical issues, such as issues tackling reproductive health, abortion, and life support.

In this article from Bradley, you’ll find out the different ethical issues that can arise with a terminal illness and end-of-life care.

So, how do you handle these ethical issues if you’re faced with them?

Assess Yourself

Facing ethical issues should start by evaluating yourself.

How do these issues affect your beliefs and culture?

Reflect on your beliefs by taking a moment to be on your own, somewhere private, and think about your thoughts about these ethical issues.

When it’s about time to make a final decision, assessing and asking yourself relevant questions (INC.) is important to ensure that you’re doing the right thing.

It will avoid self-blame and huge regrets in the future.

Consult an Expert

If you’re having problems, Psychology Today, resolving your inner conflicts and cannot make a sound decision, you must consult an expert.

While experts cannot make decisions for you, they can help shed light on your path, remove major obstacles, and find ways for you to cope and accept life’s reality.

You may consult a lawyer for living will and testament issues, advanced directives, and other legal matters concerning end-of-life care.

On the other hand, you may consult a psychologist or psychiatrist if you have trouble gaining your senses or feeling too anxious, making a decision for the family.

Seek Common Good

When you’ve reached a point to make a final decision, always aim to seek the common good of all.

It means that you have to weigh the good and the bad sides of the strengths and weaknesses of each option available.

Write everything in a notebook or your smartphone’s notepad (Fossbytes).

Once you’ve created a list, it will become easier for you to analyze the data and make a decision.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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