End-of-life care is a term that encompasses hospice and palliative services for those in the final stages of an illness. It includes skilled nursing, therapy, counseling, spiritual services and legal and financial guidance.
It also extends to a patient’s family, friends and loved ones to ensure they receive emotional and personal assistance. Learning about those services and programs can help you cope with your loved one’s transition into end-of-life care.
Emotional Support
Transitioning your loved one into hospice care can trigger a range of emotions. Utilizing hospice emotional support services can provide you and your loved one with peace of mind during their final days.
Emotional support options include:
Grief counseling: Hospice programs can connect you with trained grief counselors and therapists who can help you process your emotions before and after your loss.
Bereavement programs: Hospice will provide family counseling and other services for up to 12 months following your loved one’s passing.
Support groups: You can attend caregiver and grief support groups to discuss shared experiences with individuals facing similar situations.
Legal and Financial Support
Defining your loved one’s wishes before they require hospice can reduce stress and prevent confusion and disputes. Ask your loved one about advanced directives like living wills and power of attorney to ensure their asset and estate instructions are addressed. Having those documents prepared will be essential if your loved one becomes incapacitated and can’t make financial or healthcare decisions.
If your loved one doesn’t have an updated will, hospice social workers can assist in navigating financial and legal issues. They will also provide insight so your loved one can optimize benefits and resources to pay for care, funeral arrangements and debt.
Communicating with Healthcare Providers
A hospice team includes primary care physicians, nurses, health aides, specialists and medical coordinators to ensure your loved one receives seamless care. Maintaining open communication with the staff allows you to advocate for their needs, especially if they require adjustments to make them more comfortable. It’s also important to ask questions to ensure you and your loved one have the right information.
Consider the following questions:
- What services are included in hospice care?
- Who will be involved in my loved one’s care?
- How do I pay for hospice care?
- Are there certain services that come at an additional cost?
- Do you offer medication and pain management?
- Who develops the care plan and how often is it updated?
- Do you coordinate with my loved one’s various doctors and specialists?
- What kind of emotional support is available for my loved one and my family?
- What bereavement and grief services do you offer?
- How will I receive updates if my loved one’s condition changes?
Creating a Comfortable Environment
Peace of mind is crucial for effective hospice care. Here are some ways to make your loved one feel comfortable:
- Add possessions, photos, blankets and other familiar items to create a welcoming space.
- Use lamps to create a soothing atmosphere and avoid sterile, overhead lighting.
- Playing soft music or white noise but limit sound exposure to prevent overwhelm.
- Arrange visits with a religious leader if your loved one finds comfort in spirituality.
- Create a seating area for family members to gather.
- Rotate visitors or create a schedule to avoid overcrowding and provide opportunities to socialize.
- Share stories and treasured memories to help your loved one focus on positive emotional connections.
- Allow time for peace and quiet so your loved one can rest.
- Bring petsto visit if they’re permitted in the facility.
Compassionate Hospice Care from Embassy Healthcare
Embassy Healthcare is committed to providing comprehensive skilled nursing and assisted living services to support your loved one’s needs. Our clinical capabilities are complemented by our dedicated staff who love what they do. Contact us to learn more about our services and locations.
