How Senior Care Works With Hospice Care
Many people truly don’t want to think about hospice care as it relates to their loved one. Unfortunately, it comes the time when the responsible thing to do is make a decision on how a loved one is to spend their last days.
To prevent them from passing away in unnecessary pain and alone, considering hospice care should become an option. In many ways, senior care and hospice care are similar and even work together.
This means that if you’re considering a Vancouver assisted living community for your loved one, you can simultaneously enroll for hospice care depending on their condition. Below, you’ll find out how.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is special treatment given to the sick and elderly who are experiencing an advanced, life-limited disease or condition. To put it simply, people who receive hospice care have a condition that isn’t likely to get better.
Whether that’s simply old age or dementia, hospice care is delivered to a patient to provide them with the comfort they need to live out their last days with friends, relatives, and support members, either in a hospital or assisted living community.
Nurses and even spiritual mentors can aid in delivering quality hospice care to elderly patients.
How Does Hospice Relate to Senior Care
It’s a common misconception that elderly patients have to go to a separate location to receive hospice care. As a matter of fact, many senior care facilities devote themselves to delivering hospice care.
The vast majority of people receive hospice care at home with the option to receive care at an assisted living facility. In senior care, both at-home and on-site, directors can provide hospice care to help elderly patients:
Manage symptoms and pain relief
Receive emotional and spiritual support
Occupational and physical therapy
In some states, like North Dakota, Montana, Mississippi, and Idaho, senior living communities aren’t allowed to provide hospice care. In other states, hospice care can be given at the sole discretion of the senior living community.
If Vancouver hospice care becomes necessary for your elderly loved one, you can choose to sign a waiver on their behalf to begin treatment. Once this happens, it’ll be up to you to research available hospice care providers.
Should You Consider Hospice Care?
Making the decision to request hospice care for your loved one can be a life-changing and difficult choice. Ultimately, you may be hesitant to choose, wondering if it’s the right choice.
It’s recommended that you first receive a medical opinion to determine the condition of your elderly loved one. Don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation on the next best step, whether it’s admitting them into a Vancouver senior care home or moving forward with hospice care.
Do You Need Help Making a Decision?
We realize that it can be tough making the choice to consider hospice care, or even admitting your loved one into a senior living facility. That’s why we’re here to help. If you’d like to discuss your options more closely, contact us today to speak to a member of our team.