If someone you hold dear resides in a Philadelphia assisted living facility or residential care center, you’re entrusting others to look after their needs. So what does it mean when the staff recommends hospice? Does your loved one have to move elsewhere to get the proper care?
That’s a common assumption, but in actuality, going to another location isn’t necessary. While dedicated hospice facilities can be found in Philadelphia, most people who can benefit from this type of care receive services in their place of residence. Adults who live in assisted living communities don’t need to relocate – they can bring in a local hospice agency, and the two organizations can work together in providing support. For more information, read on.
How Hospice Care Differs From Assisted Living
Philadelphia hospice professionals and assisted living staff all have expertise in caring for people with health problems, but the former have skills that are specific to the end of life. That being the case, hospice agencies and residential care centers have different roles.
Hospice is a specialized type of care for individuals who have been diagnosed as terminally ill and have an estimated prognosis of six months or less. The focus is on comfort and quality of life, not on curative treatment, and those on hospice can expect physical, emotional, social and spiritual support. And, hospice agency staff also provide support to family members, friends and caregivers in need.
For those who qualify, the cost of hospice care — whether provided at home or at a local assisted living facility — is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Some of the specific services Philadelphia hospice patients receive include:
- Pain relief and symptom management
- Intermittent physician and skilled nursing care
- Therapy for speech, movement and memory
- Holistic therapies, such as art or massage
- Grief counseling and spiritual guidance
Residential care centers offer some services that are similar to those provided by Philadelphia hospice agencies. However, assisted living is designed for individuals who are in overall good health, but need help with daily activities and coordinating health care needs. Staff members work hard to meet the needs of facility residents, but they simply aren’t as trained or experienced as hospice professionals in aiding patients as they near the end of life.
Providing Hospice Care at Assisted Living Facilities
To provide residents with the best possible care, Philadelphia assisted living communities have embraced the concept of aging in place, or the ability to remain in one’s residence of choice for as long as possible. As such, staff members and hospice professionals work as a collaborative team in providing the necessary support.
Assistance with day-to-day activities and care needs may not be required, as that’s already being provided, but in residential care centers, hospice helps patients and their loved ones by arranging for:
- Regular visits from a hospice physician and a registered nurse for expert management of pain and any other distressing symptoms
- Coordination of care across all healthcare providers, including the patient’s own doctor, the facility’s medical team and hospice agency personnel
- Scheduled support from hospice aides, or certified nursing assistants tasked with supplementing the care provided by assisted living facility staff
- Emotional comfort and spiritual guidance from hospice chaplains, who help individuals of all faith backgrounds through the end-of-life journey
- Grief support from compassionate bereavement coordinators, with loved ones receiving counseling for up to 13 months after the patient passes away
When it’s time for hospice, the choice of care provider matters. Some Philadelphia agencies, like Suncrest, do all they can to help terminally ill individuals make the most of whatever time remains. As a case in point, our professional team visits patients more times per week than the national average, and we provide bucket list assistance, helping our patients achieve their goals during the final chapter of life. With another hospice agency, the experience may be quite different.
Benefits of Receiving Hospice Care in Assisted Living Facility
Anyone who is part of an assisted living community can choose to receive hospice services once they become eligible, without having to relocate. This is beneficial for a number of reasons, including:
Companionship
Hospice patients at assisted living facilities can take advantage of opportunities to socialize with other residents, and that can help in keeping spirits up at a difficult time.
Comfort
When home is a residential care center, that’s where a patient is most comfortable – and since hospice services can be provided there, patients feel more at ease.
Support
Many assisted living communities offer specialized memory care and other unique services, and those forms of support don’t go away after accepting hospice care.
Choosing a Philadelphia Hospice Care Provider
Learning that someone you care about has a terminal illness can be overwhelming. And when the time comes, your loved one will have a choice in hospice agencies. The staff at their assisted living facility may offer advice, but you can always call on the professional team at Suncrest. We put our patients and their families first, and you can count on us to provide exceptional end-of-life care.
For more on how hospice care works in assisted living facilities, or to discuss services for a loved one in Philadelphia, contact Suncrest today.
