As the caregiver of an aging loved one, you have been there for your loved one through every part of her aging journey. Together you’ve navigated all of the ups and downs and built a strong relationship that you wouldn’t give up for anything. For many elderly loved ones and their caregivers, there comes a time when the next step in your caring journey may be getting your loved one ready for hospice care.
What is Hospice Care
Many hear the words “hospice care” and immediately shy away from them, feeling that they are connected to the idea of giving up and not doing anything for a loved one anymore. The opposite is true of hospice care.
Hospice care providers’ primary goal is to provide comfort and the best possible life for your loved one in three key areas: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. A team of hospice care workers will work with you and your loved one to determine the best course of action for your loved one to live well, no matter how much time she has left.
Eight Indicators that Hospice Care Could be Right for Your Loved One
- Your loved one has a terminal illness that is not reacting or improving to standard medical treatments anymore. Common illnesses that often progress to hospice care include cancer, dementia, lung disease, stroke, and liver disease.
- They are unable to interact with the world around them. Due to declining cognitive or mental health issues, your loved one may not be able to communicate with you or find enjoyment in everyday activities like she used to.
- They seem restless or distressed all of the time. They might be delusional or detached from the reality around them and any efforts to bring them back to the reality around them no longer work.
- They have been having multiple doctor visits. If your loved one has been hospitalized multiple times over the past year without improving her health, it might be time to forego treatment in that manner.
- They’ve stopped eating. It’s not uncommon that as the body begins to slow down they’ll lose any pleasure derived from food and often won’t feel hungry in the least.
- They’re sleeping all of the time. Again, as the body begins to slow down at the end of life, many times loved ones will start to sleep around the clock whether in their bed or on a chair or couch.
- Health symptoms like pain or the ability to breathe have become too difficult to manage, and treatments don’t provide relief.
- As a caregiver, you feel like you’ve done all you can do and need some help to properly take care of your loved one during this stage of her life.
Arranging for hospice care before the final days or weeks of your loved one’s life can help her enjoy the benefits of hospice care while she is still alert and provide you, the caregiver, much-needed support to help you during this time.
Hospice care workers can help you in your home or facility and will provide many unique and specialized services to help your loved one live comfortably while getting all of her needs met. Many families who use hospice care often wish they had started the process earlier so they and their loved ones could have enjoyed the services more.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Hospice Care in Phoenix, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources today. Call (602) 443-4700
Home Care Resources is a top provider of home care services in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Goodyear, Cave Creek, Care Free, Fountain Hills, and surrounding areas.
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