The Benefits of Hospice Care in an Assisted Living Community

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Hospice care is a type of senior care that is designed for people who have an incurable health condition. As per the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, “Hospice is defined as a model of care that emphasizes compassion and values quality of life for those facing life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice is unique in that it uses a team-oriented approach to provide quality medical care and pain management, as well as emotional and spiritual support specific to each patient.” Hospice care aims to help seniors with managing their symptoms and live their remaining days with dignity.

Most people associate hospice care with providing care at the home. Yet seniors can also benefit from hospice care services at an assisted living community. In fact, it is reported that around one-third of assisted living residents receive hospice care in their community. The caregivers take the necessary steps to provide additional care when a senior resident at the assisted living facility becomes terminally ill. Hospice care is covered by Medicare and most of the health insurance policies, so it usually does not incur any additional expenses.

Sometimes, assisted living facilities collaborate with a specialized hospice care provider to make sure that their residents receive quality care in the community during their last months of life. It is seen that the early adoption of hospice care at an assisted living facility can help seniors in many ways. Hospice healthcare professionals can help seniors as well as their family members to prioritize their goals and wishes, which works to create a better sense of ease and comfort. They also work with the assisted living community staff to coordinate and plan the care services.

Hospice care starts when the treatment of the disease is stopped and it is clear that the senior will not survive the illness. The hospice care team may include physicians, nursing staff, therapists, social workers, and healthcare aides. They collectively work to address every aspect of the patient’s sickness, focusing on reducing and controlling pain and discomfort. Below are some of the advantages of choosing hospice care at the assisted living facility as early as possible.

Family Support

Involving hospice care specialists at the earliest allows family members to learn how to care for their loved ones when they are terminally ill. The caregivers will also help families to establish a good relationship between the physician and patient, clarify the wishes of the patient, as well as balance the dynamics of the family to ease the anxiety during the stressful time.

Care Plan

Hospice care allows family members to discuss the goals of care services provided at the senior care facility. They can also prepare an advance directive, a legal document that includes the specifics of hospice care during the last days of the patient. The hospice care team will ensure to follow the best relief possible symptom management and pain relief measures to relieve patient suffering.

Counseling

As hospice care providers work to improve the quality of life for the patient, they also provide guidance and support to the family members to deal with the varying emotions around the situation. Hospice care staff can also offer bereavement and grief counseling to the families after their loved ones have passed away. They can also help with the post-death formalities and other important tasks.

Senior Dignity

With timely hospice care, residents in assisted living communities can live their remaining days with utmost dignity. Hospice care does not involve hooking up the patient with large, noisy machines and checking their vitals all the time, but making sure that the patient’s wishes are respected. Hospice care providers also ensure that seniors get to spend their last days with their family members happily. Contact us today to hear about how we can help you connect with hospice services.

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