If your parents’ doctor has recommended hospice care at home, you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused by what happens next. That’s normal. But hospice care at home can be a big help to your parent and your family during this difficult time. Don’t wait to get it set up.
Hospice care at home is a team effort. There will be a team of professionals dedicated to helping your parent stay comfortable and helping your family deal with the stress and uncertainty of this emotional time.
Having professionals around so that you can ask questions, get support, and make sure that your parent is taken care of can make this incredibly difficult time easier for all of you.
What’s Included in Hospice Care?
The priority of hospice care at home for seniors is to make sure that your parent is not in any pain and that they have everything they need during this time. Doctors and nurses will be available to make sure your parent has their medications, to monitor their pain levels, and answer your questions.
While that is happening, other professionals will help you understand any paperwork that needs to be done, make sure that any medical equipment your parent needs is set up and working, and help you manage the household.
When your parent is going through hospice care, you can expect:
A team will support both your parent and your family
Hospice care means having a caring team of professionals to help you and your parent. This usually includes nurses, aides, a social worker, and sometimes a chaplain. The nurse checks on your parent’s health and manages medications.
Aides help with bathing and personal care. The social worker helps with emotional needs and planning. They also support you, not just your parent. You can ask questions, share concerns, and get guidance at any time.
The focus shifts to comfort, not cure
In hospice care, the goal is no longer to treat or cure illness. The focus is on keeping your parent as comfortable as possible.
This means managing pain, breathing problems, anxiety, and other symptoms. Medications and care plans are chosen based on comfort.
For example, if a treatment is painful or stressful but will not improve quality of life, it is usually avoided. The goal is to help your parent feel calm and at ease.
Care is provided at home, and you are part of the care team
Your parent stays in a familiar place, which can be comforting. However, hospice staff do not stay in the home all the time. They visit on a schedule and are on call for urgent needs. This means you or another family member will take part in daily care.
The hospice team will teach you what to do, step by step. They will show you how to give medications, help with movement, and keep your parent comfortable.
You will receive equipment and supplies
Hospice care usually provides medical equipment and supplies to make care easier at home. This may include a hospital bed, oxygen, a wheelchair, or special mattresses to prevent sores.
You will also receive items like gloves, wipes, and medications. The hospice team will explain how to use everything. This helps create a safer and more comfortable space for your parent without you having to figure it out on your own.
Changes in eating, sleeping, and behavior are normal
As your parents’ condition declines, you will notice changes. They may eat and drink less. They may sleep more and spend less time awake. Some people become quiet and withdrawn, while others may become confused or restless. These changes can be hard to watch, but they are a normal part of the process.
The hospice team will explain what is happening so you are not caught off guard. They can also help manage symptoms like discomfort or agitation.
Emotional moments will come, and support is available
Caring for a parent at the end of life brings many emotions. You may feel sadness, stress, guilt, or even moments of peace. All of this is normal.
Hospice care at home allows your parent to stay in a place they know, surrounded by the people they love. While it is not an easy experience, it can be a meaningful one. With the right support, you can focus less on fear and more on being present with your parent during this important time.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Hospice Care Services near Bethel, CT, please call our friendly, dedicated staff. (203) 744-8380
Home Care Advantage offers high-quality Non-Medical Home Care for seniors and families in Danbury, Bethel, Easton, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Southbury, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and surrounding areas.
With over 25 years of healthcare experience working with seniors, our model and approach to non-medical home care services are straightforward, providing you with the compassionate care you deserve. Providing care from the heart is what we are all about; we proactively work with you and your family to develop a care plan designed to meet your specific need for assistance and budget.
In addition to having an extensive work background in healthcare, my recent educational experience allowed me to earn my Doctorate Degree in public healthcare. This achievement enhanced my knowledge of the ever-evolving healthcare delivery system and heightened my awareness that you cannot go it alone to get the best outcome. Additionally, I have seen how some of my family members struggled and were overwhelmed with ensuring that their parents were safe and their needs were met. They did not know who to trust or where to turn for reliable and affordable help. I have made it our mission to be part of the solution allowing seniors to remain independent and be treated with the respect they deserve.
We are committed to providing excellent care for our clients, just as we would care for members of our own families. Please be assured that I will use my knowledge and background to protect and be a trusted resource for seniors and their families.
You can be confident that our caregivers are carefully screened, dependable, and selectively chosen to meet the specific needs of our clients. They are experienced and highly trained to provide excellent quality care and follow a strict professional code of conduct and ethics.
Our caregivers are competitively paid directly by our agency; there is no additional charge to you. Home Care Advantage files Social Security/Medicare, Federal and State Withholding Tax, and Unemployment Insurance for our employees. Workers’ compensation insurance and a fidelity bond cover the caregivers and supervisory staff.
Our caregivers are here for you and will work hard to assist you with your specific needs in the comfort of your own home. It is said that “Home is where the heart is.” Let Home Care Advantage provide care that will enrich your life and help you maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of your own home, “where you want to be.” Call us now! We look forward to working with you and your family.
Dr. Beverly J. Ruekberg, DHP, MPH, MA, Ed.
President/Geriatric Care Manager
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