Hospice care is available to those diagnosed with a terminal illness in the end stages of life. Hospice provides a form of palliative care that is intended to maintain comfort and symptom management once curative treatment has ended. A team oriented care approach ensures the goal of maintaining a patient’s dignity and pain relief at end-of-life. Hospice care is available in a variety of care settings, including the home. Additionally, ongoing emotional, spiritual, and bereavement support is provided for family caregivers.
The slow and unpredictable progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias often makes it tricky for families and even doctors to determine when to bring in hospice. Use these guidelines to decide if a loved one is a candidate for end-of-life care.
19 CommentsWhile there are many similarities between hospice and palliative care, the latter is an important part of managing symptoms in seriously ill patients at any stage in their disease progression.
18 CommentsThe Medicare hospice benefit provides comfort care for patients who are facing the end of life. Original Medicare will cover hospice services for terminally ill seniors (and their family members) if they meet eligibility requirements.
18 CommentsCalling in hospice for the care of an elderly parent or other a loved one means you need to come to terms, on all levels, with the idea that this person is dying.
37 Comments