Hospice care is often thought of as the last resort, the route you take when no other options for treating an incurable condition are available. This couldn’t be further from the truth – Virginia Beach hospice agencies offer an array of services to patients and their families, services designed to optimize quality of life and help people enjoy their remaining time on their own terms.
When someone enters hospice, all aspects of their end-of-life journey are taken into consideration. A team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains and other specialists work to maximize comfort, reduce pain and address the patient’s physical, mental, social and spiritual needs. To assist families and caregivers, hospice agencies also provide counseling, respite care, bereavement services and practical support.
What’s more, hospice typically takes place where the patient lives — and for those with a life expectancy of less than six months, hospice care at home is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance providers.
All too often, however, people don’t realize that a loved one who is incurably ill may be eligible for hospice care until their final days. In an effort to keep that from happening, the professional team at Suncrest in Virginia Beach explains who can benefit from hospice services.
Conditions that Qualify for Hospice Care
Though many people think otherwise, hospice care isn’t just for cancer patients. Sure, those with end-stage cancer are often eligible – but so are Virginia Beach residents facing other terminal diseases and illnesses. Some of the conditions that may warrant a call to a local hospice agency include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cardiac disease
- Coma
- Dementia
- Liver disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pulmonary disease
- Renal disease
- Stroke
Keep in mind, though, that this isn’t a complete list. Patients with any incurable condition can take advantage of hospice care in Virginia Beach – assuming, that is, they have a prognosis of six months or less. And since hospice is designed to provide comfort and support, not to provide life-prolonging treatment, patients must be willing to forgo curative therapies.
Signs a Loved One May Benefit from Hospice Care
When it comes to deciding if it’s time for hospice care, the six-month life expectancy is just one factor. With new medical treatments constantly entering the picture – and the fact that the progression of a disease or illness can vary greatly from one patient to the next — doctors don’t always have a clear idea of a patient’s prognosis.
Therefore, when considering eligibility for hospice services, families should look at what is going on in their loved one’s life. If they’re experiencing any of the following, contacting a Virginia Beach hospice agency may be in their best interests:
- Recurrent infections
- Progressive weight loss
- Uncontrollable pain
- Increasing fatigue
- Difficulty with routine tasks
- Disorientation or confusion
- Decline in cognitive function
- Frequent trips to the ER
- Multiple hospitalizations
Again, this list is by no means exhaustive, and hospice care at home may be appropriate for patients who haven’t experienced any of the above issues. When in doubt, contact a Virginia Beach hospice agency for help determining if a loved one is or soon will be eligible for services.
Benefits of a Timely Referral to Hospice Care
Hospice care offers exceptional support to patients and their families. Services can be provided at a patient’s own Virginia Beach home, a local assisted living facility or wherever it is they currently reside, and each individual’s plan of care is customized to meet their needs.
When patients are able to manage their symptoms at home, they can live more comfortably. Health crises requiring emergency room visits and hospitalizations are much less likely, too. Other benefits that come with hospice include:
- All medication, medical equipment and medical supplies are provided
- Regular visits from nurses, home health aides and trained volunteers
- Education, training, practical support and respite care for family caregivers
- Care coordination to ensure that all of the patient’s needs are being met
- Social workers to assist with end-of-life planning and local resources
- Emotional and spiritual support to help everyone cope with the situation
- Grief counseling and bereavement care for family members in need
As people are largely unaware of the many benefits of hospice, many wait unnecessarily before considering services for a loved one. According to the 2020 Facts and Figures Report by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, about 28 percent of those eligible for services under Medicare only took advantage of hospice care for seven days or less.
Ask any Virginia Beach hospice agency, and they’ll agree – family members of incurably ill patients often say they wish they had been referred to hospice care sooner. With a timely referral, a patient is able to participate in all of the planning, giving them a greater sense of control. And those who utilize hospice services early on are better able to make the most of every moment.
For individuals with incurable conditions, hospice makes it possible to enjoy the end of life. To learn more hospice care at home, or to discuss arrangements for a loved one in Virginia Beach, Virginia, contact Suncrest today.
