Unless someone you know has received hospice care, you may not be familiar with exactly what hospice is — and what it isn’t. That’s understandable, and at Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of Chicago, we work with families every day to educate them about hospice and help them decide if it is right for their family member. In a way, hospice care is end-of-life care, but these two methods of treatment are not always exactly the same. Our hospice nurses and social workers explain below the difference between hospice care and end-of-life care.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is available to patients who are expected to live six months or less and do not want to use any drugs or treatment to prolong their life.
The decision to stop using lifesaving treatment is rarely an easy one. Most people have more that they want to do in life. It is usually when they become tired of fighting their illness that they decide to give up lifesaving treatment and enter hospice.
Oftentimes the treatment for a disease can be more uncomfortable and debilitating than suffering with the disease itself. However, many patients are willing to bear it in exchange for a chance to get better and enjoy life again. Sadly, this does not always happen. Some patients go through chemotherapy, dialysis, surgery and other lifesaving treatments only to emerge from them about the same as when they went in.
When patients give up this type of treatment, they often feel better temporarily, experiencing less nausea and discomfort.
It is important to note that although patients in hospice give up lifesaving treatment, they don’t give up pain medications. They may continue to receive these in hospice until the very end of their lives. So hospice patients and their families never have to worry about the patient being uncomfortable.
What Is End-of-Life Care?
End-of-life care can mean several things. The most important part of end-of-life care is that the patient be made comfortable and that their wishes be respected. Thus, if they wish to give up lifesaving treatment, hospice care is an option. If not, their care may be delivered at home or in a nursing home or other setting.
While end-of-life care is so-named because the patient is expected to have little time left to live, this does not always happen, and in some cases, end-of-life care can turn into long-term care.
Other Components of Hospice and End-of-Life Care
People tend to focus more on the medical side of dying. And although medication and pain relief are critical, there is more to hospice and end-of-life care than what doctors and nurses can do. It includes the care CNAs provide, helping patients to shower and wash their hair. It includes time spent with family, counselors or spiritual advisors. The process is different for each individual patient.
If your loved one is nearing the point where they may need hospice care, give us a call at Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of Chicago. We can make an appointment for you with one of our social workers. We’re here to help.
