Five Facts You May Not Know About Hospice
- Angelic Health Palliative and Hospice Care
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
No need to fear the word Hospice, it is there to help.
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Hospice is about how you live.
Yes, we said “live”. It is not about giving up or getting ready to die. Hospice care provides for a better quality of life during the final months, weeks, and days. The sooner hospice care is started the better quality of life becomes. Pain and anxiety are controlled;
patient is more physically and emotionally secure and comfortable. Family members are also supported in this journey. Having trained clinical and support staff available gives both patient and family more quality time to spend with each other. Studies have found that those receiving hospice care, live longer and have a better quality of life in their final days.
Many people wait too long to get on hospice care. They believe it will hasten death, is an act of hopelessness, or just giving up so they wait. The fact is that hospice care is an insurance benefit that can make your life easier and reduce stress on both the patient and family. Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers. It is for those who have a terminal diagnosis of six month or less. Patients are evaluated to the appropriateness of hospice care and that care can continue beyond six months. The care the patient receives includes regular nursing visits, home health aide services, social worker, spiritual care, and bereavement support. Volunteers are also utilized to provide friendly visitors or give family members a brief respite. The family also receives bereavement support for over a year after the loved one has passed.
Hospice can help heal families
Some people equate hospice with giving up. In fact, it’s about choosing to focus on preserving a higher quality of life during the time that remains and to make the most of those precious months, weeks, or days. The goal is not only to make the patient more physically comfortable — and keep them at home as long as possible if that’s their desire — but also to address their emotional and spiritual needs and those of the family, too. It can help turn wishes into reality Whether they voice them or not, many dying people have desires and wishes that may go unanswered if no one asks about them. Most will want to continue to do what brought them joy throughout their lives. It’s the little things like fishing, gardening, taking a walk along the beach, reconnecting with old friends or relatives; or mending relationships. Hospice staff will work towards fulfilling these wishes.
Hospice helps those left behind A hospice team member will assist the family with securing support services throughout the hospice experience. That support doesn’t end when the patient dies and continues for 13 months after the patient has passed with social work services, and bereavement and spiritual support to help family members move forward and understand the grief process. Additionally, Angelic Health holds an annual Remembrance Celebration of Life to recognize those who have passed, offers a Grief Support Kit on its website, and provides ongoing support groups in the community.
For more information on hospice care visit www.Angelic.Health , or call us toll free at 1-844-948-0645.