Is a loved one in Fremont facing a serious illness or declining health? Initiating a discussion about hospice care may be challenging, but doing so is crucial to ensuring their comfort and quality of life as the end draws near.
Hospice care is a specialized form of support for those in the final stages of a terminal illness, and the primary goal is to meet the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Support is provided to their family, too, allowing everyone to make the most of their time together. And while hospice can take place in any setting, one of the key advantages is that terminally ill individuals can remain at home – or wherever they call home — while receiving the care they need.
Despite the many benefits of hospice care, talking about it is a daunting task. Not only does the topic stir up a lot of emotions, but there’s a chance your loved one may not react all that well. But with the proper approach, you can ease the tension and have a productive conversation.
At Suncrest Hospice of Fremont, we’ve guided countless people through these difficult discussions. For our best advice on how to handle the hospice care conversation with someone you hold dear, read on.
When to Discuss Hospice Care
The ideal time to have a chat about hospice care with a loved one would be when they are still relatively healthy. An early discussion early on can make the idea of entering hospice easier to digest, and a candid chat gives patients the opportunity to make an informed decision.
Introducing the topic of hospice care may be easier said than done, but you’ll want to plan for a conversation if your loved one has been:
- Diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Visiting the emergency room more often
- Hospitalized on multiple occasions
- In declining health or chronically unwell
- Growing less able to do physical activity
A discussion about hospice may also be warranted if your loved one is getting discouraged about their treatment options or if their symptoms are getting worse. Really, though, it’s never too early to raise the topic of hospice care — even with loved ones who are healthy – as a talk can help ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Preparing for the Conversation
Talking about the end of life makes many people uncomfortable. With that in mind, setting the stage for a meaningful conversation about hospice care is important. To help your loved one feel at ease, consider the following when planning the discussion:
- Who should be involved? A chat between the two of you might be best, or you may want to invite other family members and close friends. There’s no right or wrong approach – act in accordance with what your loved one would prefer.
- When should the talk take place? All of the people who need to be involved may not live nearby, and everyone likely leads a busy life. Finding a good time to schedule the discussion may take a while, so get the ball rolling soon.
- Where should you meet? With a conversation about hospice care, emotions can run high – and sometimes, disagreements happen. That being so, your loved one’s home or another private space may be the right place to have the chat.
Also, plenty of myths and misconceptions about hospice care abound, and you need to be prepared to provide the truth. Before the discussion takes place, make a point of learning about the benefits of hospice and the services available. That way, if your loved one has concerns, you’ll have reassuring information to share.
Introducing the Idea of Hospice
Hospice care discussions can be challenging, but having a plan of what to say can make the chat with your loved one a little easier. Thinking about how you would want the topic raised if you had a terminal illness may help you come up with the right words. Or, you could try a practice conversation with a friend. In any case, get your thoughts in order ahead of time – and come up with a prompt to initiate the talk.
Not sure how to open the discussion? Consider one of these conversation starters:
- You seem to be having more health challenges lately. Are you getting the type of care you need?
- I’ve been thinking about the future, and I’d really like your input. Can we talk about hospice?
- What are your thoughts on quantity of life versus quality of life? Which matters most to you?
- Hopefully, your last days are a long way off, but when the time comes, would you want to be at home?
Even when you’re prepared, a chat about hospice care can be stressful for everyone. Remember that you and your loved one don’t need to make any decisions right off the bat – you can chat again later, as circumstances change.
If you’re ready to have a discussion about hospice care and want more guidance, the professional team at Suncrest Hospice of Fremont is here for you. We’d be happy to answer your questions, and if you like, we can arrange for a free, no-obligation hospice care consultation at your loved one’s home. For more information, contact our office in Fremont, California, today.
