In Cincinnati, Ohio, hospice care is widely recognized as being the gold standard model of support for the terminally ill. When an individual with an incurable condition has no potential curative or life-prolonging treatment options – or when the search for a cure becomes a source of suffering – hospice ensures that they can spend their remaining time in peace and comfort.
If a family member or close friend has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, now may be the right time to explore hospice care. With insight on what to expect, you’ll be able to help the person you hold dear make informed decisions moving forward. To gain the knowledge you need about hospice and how it may play a role in your loved one’s end-of-life journey, take a look at the following guide.
Adaptability of Care
Individuals with incurable conditions have different care needs depending on their diagnosis, any present comorbidities and a host of other factors. That being the case, Medicare-certified hospice care providers like Suncrest provide varying degrees of assistance to the terminally ill.
Four levels of care are available to hospice patients in the Cincinnati area, all of which are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers. Below is an overview of the levels and when they’re considered to be appropriate:
Routine Home Care
Most terminally ill individuals begin at this level of hospice care, with services provided in whatever setting they call home. Physicians, nurses, therapists, chaplains, social workers, bereavement specialists, aides and trained volunteers visit regularly to offer support, and hospice professionals are available around the clock to assist with any concerns.
Continuous Home Care
With an incurable illness, patients may at times need a greater level of support from skilled medical professionals. Continuous home care is meant for this situation, and in the event of a health crisis – such as spiking pain, difficulty breathing or recurring episodes of uncontrolled vomiting — hospice nurses remain in the home until the patient is stable.
General In-Patient Care
When a hospice patient has a health issue that cannot be addressed in the home setting, even with the focused attention of registered nurses at all hours, general in-patient care is the answer. Typically provided at a Cincinnati hospital or skilled nursing facility, this level of hospice care is meant to be temporary – if stable, the individual can go back home.
In-Patient Respite Care
Family members commonly attend to the day-to-day needs of a terminally ill loved one, and this can be rather challenging work. Cincinnati hospice care providers offer respite care as a solution, with the individual transitioning to the general in-patient care level for up to five days. Released from their duties, caregivers are able to focus on their own needs.
It’s not at all unusual for a patient to start a day at one level and transition to a different level before the sun goes down. As needs change, hospice care providers are prepared to rapidly pivot in order to ensure more effective support.
Flexibility in Services
In hospice care, comfort and quality of life are of the utmost importance. The specialized approach puts the primary focus on well-being – and not just in the physical sense, as that’s just one aspect of holistic, patient-centered care. With that in mind, hospice professionals provide the following on an as-needed basis:
Pain and Symptom Management
Physicians, nurses and other members of hospice care teams have the expertise to effectively manage pain and control the troubling symptoms that are common with incurable conditions. With physical discomfort alleviated, patients are able to make the most of their remaining time.
Mental and Emotional Support
Being diagnosed with a terminal illness or having a loved one in this situation can be quite distressing. Cincinnati hospice professionals understand this, and they’re trained to offer the support patients and their loved ones need to deal with the complex emotions that arise along the way.
Spiritual and Existential Concerns
For many terminally ill individuals – and for their families – exploring values, beliefs and fears about the nature of life and death becomes important as the end draws near. Recognizing the diversity of faith backgrounds, hospice chaplains nurture the spirit without any religious agenda.
Hospice care is a compassionate means of meeting the final chapter of life, and terminally ill individuals can benefit from a wide array of services. From medical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychological support to practical assistance, bereavement counseling and massage, music and other complementary therapies, hospice care providers have a great deal to offer to those in need.
Contact Suncrest Hospice of Cincinnati Today
If you believe that someone you care about may be eligible for hospice care, we suggest you discuss the idea. Then, reach out to arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation with Suncrest – you can count on us to answer questions and provide guidance in making the decision to enter hospice. And if your loved one isn’t quite ready, we’ll be there when they reach that point.
For more information, or to discuss hospice care for a loved one in Cincinnati, Ohio, contact the Suncrest team today.
