Hospice care is an all-embracing form of support designed to meet the unique needs of the terminally ill. In Salt Lake City, Utah, hospice is an excellent option for those who wish to receive highly personalized care as life draws to a close, as services can be provided wherever an eligible individual lives.
The primary goal of hospice is to heighten patient comfort and quality of life when the pursuit of curative treatments is no longer beneficial. With that in mind, hospice care is offered in a number of locations, including private residences – such as a house, apartment or duplex – nursing homes, assisted living or long-term care centers and independent hospice facilities.
With hospice care at home in Salt Lake City, individuals who are facing death can make the most of the time they have left, and much-needed support is provided not just to the patient, but to their loved ones as well. Read on to learn how hospice works, what services are included and why it can be the best choice for the terminally ill.
How Hospice Care at Home Works
Upon enrolling in hospice care at home, the patient and the family work with an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals in creating a personal care plan. Salt Lake City hospice providers then carry out the necessary services, with the aim of meeting the objectives outlined in the plan of care.
As hospice is personalized to each terminally ill individual and their loved ones, many different professionals may be fundamental to the interdisciplinary team. Those involved may include a patient’s own doctor, and any or all of the following may be members of the team:
- A medical director
- Registered nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Massage, pet and music therapists
- Social workers
- Chaplains and spiritual counselors
- Bereavement coordinator
- Hospice aides
- Hospice volunteers
Everything a patient needs is provided, no matter the location. With hospice care at home, medical equipment, supplies and medication are delivered to the individual’s current dwelling. As their illness progresses, the care plan may change, but the following are most often included:
- Pain and symptom management
- Emotional, social and spiritual support
- Assistance with personal care needs
- Intermittent help with household tasks
- Grief counseling and bereavement
Although Salt Lake City hospice care providers only tend to patients at all hours when medically necessary, family caregivers receive support, education and guidance from the interdisciplinary team. And in the event of a crisis, registered nurses are always on call and ready to help.
The Four Levels of Hospice Care
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has established four levels of hospice care, and all four are covered by Medicare and the Utah Medicaid program. Military benefits and most private insurers also cover all levels of care.
What do the different levels of hospice care include? Here’s a brief look:
Routine Home Care
At this level, all necessary services are provided at the terminally ill individual’s home. Medication, equipment, and supplies are delivered, and members of the interdisciplinary team visit on a regular basis to provide any needed support.
Continuous Home Care
This level is for hospice patients who need intensive medical attention to address unrelenting pain, persistent nausea or another distressing symptom. Once stable, the individual can return to routine hospice care at home.
General In-Patient Care
When symptoms cannot be managed in the home setting, the patient transitions to this level. Provided at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, general in-patient care is meant to be a short-term solution, as people want to be at home in their final days.
In-Patient Respite Care
Unlike the other levels of care, this one supports the needs of family caregivers. Looking after someone with a terminal illness is stressful, and sometimes, caregivers simply need a break from their duties. With respite care, that’s possible.
Why Choose Hospice Care at Home?
The idea of choosing hospice care at home may seem daunting, but making the decision helps ease the burden on both the patient and their loved ones. The many reasons to consider hospice include:
- Hospice services can be provided wherever a patient lives, and having the familiar setting and family near-at-hand improves the end-of-life experience.
- Hospice focuses on people, not on illness. Accepting services allows for a better quality of life, as everyone’s needs, goals and preferences guide the plan of care.
- Hospice offers comfort, and with various techniques and therapies for pain and symptom control, the terminally ill get more enjoyment out of their final days.
- Hospice provides a sense of dignity. Rather than spending their remaining time being poked and prodded by doctors and nurses, patients can do as they see fit.
Those aren’t the only advantages of choosing hospice at the end of life, but suffice it to say that patients and families gain a great deal. In fact, here at Suncrest, we often hear people say that they wish they had started services sooner. And now that you understand what hospice care at home includes, you can ensure that your loved ones have the support they need. To schedule a consultation, contact our office in Salt Lake City, Utah, today.
