Entering hospice care is a turning point in a patient’s life. They have made the decision to end life-saving medications and procedures and instead focus on palliative care. While this takes away some stresses and strains, it can introduce new ones. At Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of Austin, we understand this well.
When you think of spiritual advice in hospice care, you may naturally think of counseling patients about their relationship with God. But while God and religion are common topics discussed by spiritual advisors and patients, they aren’t the only ones. Spiritual advisors also help with practical considerations.
Some people might think practical considerations are unimportant at this time. But if they are important to the patient, then they’re important.
The Genesis of Spiritual Health
Many patients in hospice care live with others, but some do not. Thus, they may worry about such issues as who will walk their dog, paying bills on time, getting groceries, borrowing and returning library books and so much more.
It’s true that patients often want to make arrangements for after their death such as who their dog will live with, how their worldly goods will be distributed or other similar matters. Those are important, but addressing the other types of concerns are often what make the patient’s last days easier, less stressful and more peaceful.
Determining What’s Important
A spiritual advisor can help create a network of the patient’s friends, family, church members and anyone willing to help out and take a turn. Frequently, members of these networks make a schedule for shopping, cooking, dropping off meals, visiting, doing errands and providing transportation and other services for the hospice patient.
This helps relieve patients of the worry of how they will manage through their last days and allows them to enjoy them more.
Further, it often buoys their mood because it demonstrates that people care about them. Especially for very independent people who have always insisted on doing everything for themselves and others, this experience of receiving care can be heartwarming.
Suncrest Home Health and Hospice in Austin
Anyone who has worked with patients with chronic or long-term illnesses knows that sickness waxes and wanes, that there are good days and bad. Knowing they have a strong, reliable safety net can allow hospice patients to refocus their energy on themselves and their own well-being, giving them more and better opportunities to enjoy the life they have left.
The spiritual advisors who work with Suncrest Home Health and Hospice in Austin know that spiritual health is an important component of overall health. Patients don’t have to pray, go to church or even believe in God to benefit from the counsel of a spiritual advisor. Spirituality is centered on the light inside you, and we work to make it brighter and warmer.
To find out more about hospice care at Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of Austin, contact us today.
