If someone you love has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, it’s time to connect with a Philadelphia hospice care agency.
With an illness that has no cure, no timeline is guaranteed – and while it may seem as if your loved one’s death is far down the road, that might not be the case. By making the necessary preparations for hospice care now, you can ensure their well-being when the end draws near.
Also referred to as comfort care, hospice can allows the terminally ill to die with dignity, free of pain and other troubling symptoms. Providing a comfortable and peaceful end-of-life journey is the priority, and to plan for that, Philadelphia hospice care agencies take a number of factors into consideration.
Location
Everyone is most comfortable in their own home, and contrary to what many people think, entering hospice doesn’t typically mean staying at a special facility.
Most Philadelphia hospice patients receive care services right where they live. If your loved one is eligible, support can be provided at:
- Their own home
- A relative’s or friend’s house
- A local nursing home
- An assisted living center
- A residential care facility
In-patient hospice care is offered when symptom cannot be managed in the home setting, with services provided at a local hospital or hospice facility. The main objective, though, is to stabilize the patient, enabling them to go back home, where they can be surrounded by family.
Equipment
Receiving hospice care at home makes for a more relaxing end-of-life experience, but not every Philadelphia home is
conducive to patient comfort.
Many terminally ill patients need durable medical equipment to live comfortably, and a hospice care agency can deliver and set up the following at your loved one’s home:
- Wheelchair
- Walker
- Mobile lift chair
- Shower seat
- Hospital bed
- Bedside commode
- Oxygen equipment
What about the expense? Whether your loved one is on Medicare or Medical Assistance, or if they have a private health insurance plan, this shouldn’t be a concern – all of the equipment they need to remain in the comfort of home as the end of life nears will be provided at no cost.
Preparation
The final chapter of life should be spent with the people that matter most, in a place that feels like home – and medical equipment doesn’t feel all that homey.
A pleasant environment is essential for hospice care at home, and family caregivers play a large role in making living spaces more comfortable by:
- Setting up screens to provide more privacy
- Making it easier to control the lights
- Providing easy access to drinks and snacks
- Ensuring the pathways are free of clutter
- Installing nightlights for illumination after dark
- Placing handrails for safety when moving around
- Adding chairs for visitors to sit comfortably
Before any medical equipment comes into your loved one’s home, some of their furniture and belongings may need to go elsewhere. And relocating their bedroom to another area – one that’s more easily accessible – might be a good idea. For more targeted advice in regards to home comfort, you can talk to the hospice care team.
Therapy Services
While therapeutic care is often associated with recovery from an illness, injury or surgery, the strategic use of therapy can be beneficial for hospice patients.
Hospice care prioritizes patient comfort, and complementary therapies have been shown to relieve pain, anxiety and stress. Your loved one might benefit from:
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Music therapy
- Animal therapy
- Art therapy
- Massage therapy
The specific therapy services provided may vary based on your loved one’s individualized plan of care. In any case, the symptom control that can be achieved through the use of complementary therapies in hospice care – alongside conventional medicine — may help them live more comfortably and meet the end of life with dignity.
Additional Support
For Philadelphia hospice care agencies, providing comfort to patients with terminal illnesses is the first priority – the second is to support their loved ones.
Preserving the physical and emotional well-being of family caregivers is important, and to help those in need, hospice care services include:
- Access to a 24-hour nurse hotline for assistance and advice
- Professional hospice aides to help with patient care tasks
- Trained volunteers to assist with errands and household chores
- Social workers to connect people with community resources
- Chaplains who offer emotional comfort to those of all faiths
- Hospice bereavement specialists who provide grief support
In addition, for family caregivers who are feeling burned out or simply need time away to handle personal matters, respite care is available. The Medicare-approved hospice service offers a short-term break, at little or no cost to the family, and patients receive high-quality care at a Philadelphia in-patient facility.
Let Suncrest Hospice Bring Comfort to Your Loved One
Keeping your loved one comfortable opens the door for a better quality of life during the final chapter, and the team at Suncrest Hospice of Philadelphia can help you plan for their well-being as they approach the end of life.
Suncrest is committed to meeting the needs of terminally ill individuals and their families – and you can count on us to help you and your loved one make the most of every moment left. For more information on our hospice care services and how we bring people comfort at such a difficult time, contact our office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, today.
