Everyone has heard the infamous Biblical saying that people live as once a man and twice a child, serving as a reminder that both in the beginning and end of one’s life, a person will likely need care and be dependent on others for their daily needs. And while it’s easy to forget the cautionary tale that lies within this seemingly morbid saying, those who have a loved one facing the end of their life may be able to relate to it, especially if that loved one is being placed in hospice care.
Receiving a recommendation that a loved one will need hospice care services can be a frightening realization that the end of their life is near. This sentiment is understandable because for many, hospice is often associated with the very end of one’s life.
However what many people don’t realize is that hospice can help those that are sick as well as their loved ones navigate this confusing, trying, and stressful period in order to make it as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Rather than simply being seen as the end of a life, hospice care services can also be thought of as the beginning of a time to bond, heal, and process.
Another reason why end of life in home care services can make people uneasy is the belief that the doctors and family of a terminally ill person have given up on treating or caring for that person. This is far from the case. End of life comfort and care services are simply a way to prioritize and honor the desires of the patient and their family. It is a form of specialized, personalized care that works to provide an unparalleled level of compassion, empathy, support, understanding, and wish fulfillment near the end of a person’s life.
Understanding the benefits of at home end of life care
When a doctor or another healthcare professional recommends at home hospice care for a patient or loved one, it can be a devastating realization for the family. But it’s not without it’s benefits in terms of providing comfort, convenience, and peacefulness.
A familiar environment
Though hospice care is often provided in hospitals and nursing homes, it can also be provided with the same level of quality at a hospice care facility or even right in the comfort of a patient’s home. While being places of healing, hospitals and nursing home aren’t necessarily calming or soothing environments and can be stressful for people just coming into this world — birth — or just leaving it through death.
As such, many people would prefer to be in a place such as their home that is comparably calmer and quieter without the buzz of a hospital or nursing home setting. Even at a home environment, the care regimen prescribed by the doctor can be carried out by a visiting nurse, a professional caretaker, or the patient’s family members.
Comprehensive, compassionate care provided by medical professionals
The goal of end of life care is to provide as much comfort as possible. This is done through a comprehensive care plan approved by a doctor and carried out by a team of qualified and experienced medical and healthcare professionals such as nurses and aides. In addition to comfort, the care plan is designed to address each aspect of a patient’s terminal illness with an emphasis on managing pain and any discomfort. Family members are likely to be interacting with and helping doctors, therapists, clergy, social workers, and nurses in order to care for their loved ones.
Dying with dignity
End of life care at home gives ill patients the opportunity to live their last dies in comfort and die with dignity without the constant invasive testing or procedures to prolong life that might happen at a hospital. Instead of being hooked up to a machine, patients can rest comfortably in their own bed and die with grace, comfort, and peace.
Eases financial burdens
Hospital costs can quickly add up and can be expensive. This only adds to the stress of family members of a terminally ill patient. With hospice care however, out of pockets costs are significantly less and Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance can help to cover costs.
