Has a loved one in Cincinnati been diagnosed with a terminal illness? Arranging for hospice care at home can be the best way to ensure that their end-of-life journey is as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
With a focus on quality of life, hospice provides the necessary services and support to allow patients and their families to make the most of the time that remains. The loss of a loved one is never easy to face, but the comfort, dignity and peace of mind that comes with in-home care can make a positive difference. And since the Medicare hospice benefit covers the cost of hospice care at home, there’s no reason to go it alone.
Once you and your loved one have selected an approved Medicare home health care agency – like Suncrest Hospice – you’ll have a team of professionals ready to help guide you through the process. However, it helps to have a plan. Read on to learn about preparing for hospice care at home in Cincinnati.
Understand What to Expect
When you meet with a member of the hospice care team at your chosen Medicare home health care agency, you’ll discuss your loved one and the support they require. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, too – and you absolutely should, as that will help ensure your expectations match the specific services and level of care provided.
Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, and you’ll have an easier time remembering everything you want to ask. A few questions to consider putting on your list include:
- What services can we expect from hospice nurses, home health aides, social workers, specialists and other care providers?
- How frequently will members of the hospice team make house calls during a typical week? How long will most of the visits last?
- What is the role of family caregivers? Are hospice volunteers available to help and, if so, how can we make a request for assistance?
- Are hospice nurses on call to answer questions and address immediate concerns? What is the process for handling a medical crisis?
- What if caring for your loved one at home becomes too difficult? How often will their plan of care be reviewed by a hospice doctor?
Create a Comfortable Environment
Another important consideration when preparing for hospice care at home is the need for medical equipment and medical supplies. A certified Medicare home health care agency should provide most, if not all, of the items your loved one requires – and the costs should be covered under Medicare.
Having the right equipment and supplies is what makes in-home care possible. Depending on your loved one’s needs, the following may be coming into their home:
- Hospital bed
- Overbed table
- Bedside commode
- Geriatric recliner
- Wheelchair
- Shower chair
- Oxygen tanks
- Incontinence supplies
- Bandages and catheters
While the home health care agency should arrange for delivery and setup of the equipment your loved one needs, you may need to make space available within their Cincinnati home. And, the task of creating a peaceful, comfortable and safe environment may fall into your hands as well. To prepare for hospice care at home, you might want to:
- Add curtains or get a portable room divider to make an area more private
- Remove rugs, clutter from the walkways and any other tripping hazards
- Install smart plugs so your loved one can easily control lights and electronics
- Consider additional furniture, such as seating for family and friends who visit
- Place a small refrigerator close by to provide easy access to drinks and snacks
- Put grab bars in key spots, like next to the bed and toilet, for extra support
Be Ready for Hospice Care to Begin
With hospice care at home, others will share the responsibility of caring for your loved one. This is sure to come as a relief, but you’ll want to prepare for the arrival of the hospice team members. To that end, we suggest that you take steps to make it easier for them to provide support – and for your loved one and the rest of the family to remain at ease with the situation. In particular, you might consider the following:
- Keeping a list of your loved one’s medications and their dosages in a visible, easy-to-reach spot
- Ensuring that all medical information and medical supplies are well-organized and close at hand
- Considering where home health aides and hospice volunteers will store their personal belongings
- Establishing ground rules regarding the use of appliances and shared spaces within the home
- Determining if any parts of your loved one’s Cincinnati home should be off-limits for visitors
With a trusted local home health care agency like Suncrest, you’ll have help in preparing for hospice care to begin. Our team will explain everything you need to know at the start, and we’ll keep everyone fully informed as things progress. To learn more about hospice care at home, or to schedule a consultation with the Suncrest team, contact our office in Cincinnati, Ohio, today.
