Providing Hospice Care For Families As Well As Patients

The prospect of hospice care can either be a dreaded outcome or a welcome solution, depending on the situation. Hospice care is designed to make the final days of a person's life as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Turning to hospice care does require an acceptance of the severity of the situation, and this can be devasting for those clinging on to as much hope as possible. Yet, it can also be freeing and comforting to know that a loved one now has the support and care they need and is in the best place.

The next question after accepting hospice care is, what happens to you and your family? How much of a role are you meant to play as a carer now? What control do you have over the situation? Are you entitled to any support yourself? The good news is that the best hospice facilities will provide a lot more help than you realize.

Caring For Families During Hospice Care

Some families dealing with terminal illness diagnoses and similar medical emergencies may not realize how much support is available to them via hospice care. There is the assumption that hospice care means we're placing a loved one into the care of someone else and being left on our own. That doesn't have to be the case. There are services available that ensure family members are as much a part of the process as they need to be and that they receive the care they deserve at all times.

Caregiver Education And At-Home Assistance

Many families will struggle to hand over the responsibilities of caring for a loved one with a serious illness. There is an overwhelming desire to do all we can for them in their time of need, whatever the cost. That's why facilities like Three Oaks Hospice in Pittsburgh take the time to offer detailed caregiver education. This support gives family members more power to continue in their roles as caring spouses, children, or parents to those in need.

Education takes two forms. First, there is the education on how to provide adequate care. It helps to learn the best methods for aiding patients with daily tasks, personal healthcare, and tasks that used to be simple. With practice, you can adapt to new techniques and tools to make things easier for everything. Second, there's the education about the illness. This is optional, as it is often easier not to know the specifics of deadly conditions. Still, if you want to know more, the hospice team can support you in a kind and reassuring manner.

This can prove to be highly beneficial for anyone dealing with hospice care at home. At-home hospice solutions are a way for people to die with comfort and dignity in their own homes. If this is something the family is comfortable with, hospice staff can make this as easy as possible via those educational support services.

Temporary Respite or Inpatient Care

In addition to providing this level of support for at-home care, hospice facilities can give you and your family a much-needed break. There's nothing wrong with wanting a little time out. Whether that means taking a few days to yourself to visit other family members or giving the kids a short break somewhere fun, you can do so. The hospice team can help by setting up a temporary service in your absence. They will take on the care needs and give your loved one all they need, and you won't have to worry about anything. This could be within your home, so there's no need to disturb your loved one. Or, it could mean temporary inpatient care.

Bereavement Services

Finally, there are the bereavement services. These can prove to be incredibly useful for families as they deal with the passing of their loved ones. It doesn't matter how much you prepare for death when dealing with a terminal illness. The event is still earth-shattering for everyone. Hospice counselors can help you and your family deal with the emotions involved and how to transition into a new chapter of your life. Doing this with the hospice staff is helpful because they know your loved one and were with you on the journey. They can empathize and provide comfort better than many therapists.

Choosing Not To Receive Family Support

Every family is different, and everyone has personal needs and priorities. Just because these family support services and inclusive facilities are available, that doesn't mean you have to use them. There are times when a clean break makes the most sense, and placing loved ones into full hospice care is the best choice. Some family members might not be able to cope with continuing with physical care or regular visits during the latter stages of an illness. It might be too stressful for kids to deal with a dementia patient who doesn't know who they are. The end goal here is to ease the stress and suffering of everyone concerned, not to prolong it.

Hospices Have An Ongoing Duty Of Care

A hospice facility has a duty to protect and support all those in its care. That doesn't just mean the patient who is dealing with the illness or facing up to a terminal diagnosis. You aren't going to be kept in the dark and left to go through the loss and grief alone - unless you want to be left alone. There will always be someone to talk to, someone to guide you in providing whatever care you can, and someone to explain the next steps of the journey. This doesn't mean that dealing with hospice care won't be scary or difficult. It just means that you will have people to lean on to make it a little easier for as long as you need them.

So, keep this in mind when looking for hospice care facilities for your loved one. Naturally, their care needs and the medical support provided are your priorities. However, you can't feel guilty for thinking about your needs or those of your children. Look into the facility's services for family support, grief counseling, and anything else on offer. Make a choice that works for everyone involved.

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