What Choices Are Available for Hospice?

Facing the uncertain death of an elderly loved one isn't an easy task, especially if he or she suffers from a terminal illness and conventional remedies or medications are no longer effective. This is when the focus shifts to hospice care, where comfort and relieving the patient's pain is of utmost importance.

Seniors obtain this type of care, typically known as palliative care, when the progression of a severe condition, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease, requires round-the-clock medical or nursing care. Hospice care provides physical, emotional and psychological support to patients and their families on an as-needed basis.

What Hospice Care Entails 

When a senior's life expectancy is about six months or less, he or she typically begins hospice care, either in-home or at a specialized elder care facility. The start date typically occurs when the patient (if possible) and his or her family accepts that the terminal illness is not curable, nor will it be aggressively treated. Your loved one will only receive end-of-life care which typically includes:

• Speech therapy
• Medical services
• Social services
• Spiritual counseling
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Housekeeping services
• Bereavement counseling

Senior citizens receiving this type of palliative care are treated with dignity as they live out their final days, even if they are incoherent or unconscious. Trained personnel, medical team members, volunteers and family work 24/7 providing the services necessary to make this happen.

Types of Hospice Care

There are generally three types of hospice care available to ailing seniors depending on their specific needs:

• In-home care: According to the 2010 statistics released by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, about 67 percent of all hospice patients remain at home for the duration of their palliative care. This allows family members, close friends and volunteers to play an active role in the patient's care without having to transport him or her to an unfamiliar setting. A hospice team then provides as much care as the patient and his or her family requires.

• Inpatient care: There may come a time when when the level of hospice care exceeds what is given at home, either by choice or circumstance. At this point, an inpatient care program is typically considered. Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals or dedicated hospice centers are generally the settings for this type of care. Hospices based in a medical setting such as a hospital allow patients and their families access to medical and social services. Some hospitals have a separate wing or department for hospice while others have hospice team members on call. Most long-term care facilities such as skilled nursing facilities have hospice units with trained staff members. This option is beneficial to those who do not have a primary caregiver at home.
• Respite care: When a family member or caretaker tends to a hospice patient at home, temporary relief is usually provided through respite care. This allowings hospice team members to come in and provide the needed services without moving the patient to a hospital or other facility. Respite care is typically short-term.

Just Remember

Considering hospice for a terminally ill patient is a difficult decision to make especially when all other types of treatments no longer work. Make sure you and your loved one understand all of the available options before making permanent plans.