It’s never easy for a patient and their loved ones to deal with a life-limiting illness. However, the situation is real and present and the best thing to do is make the patient’s remaining days as painless and comfortable as possible. While this is a difficult time for the family, it’s undeniable that jobs, children, and other priorities also need to be taken care of.
During difficult times like this, it’s OK to accept that you need help from outside sources. You want someone who will care for your loved one like you would, and this is where professional yet compassionate hospice home care in Indiana comes in.
Here’s what a hospice home care can provide your loved one:
Pain Management
In most cases, hospice care patients only have six months or less to live and are dealing with terminal illness. One of the symptoms they need to deal with on a regular basis is the pain brought about by the terminal condition they have. This makes pain management crucial when caring for a hospice patient.
The caregiver needs to monitor their pain medication intake and record any unusual discomfort or side effects that the patient may experience. They also need to take note of the gravity of the pain and ask the patient to rate it from 0-10, with zero for no pain and ten being excruciatingly painful. This is important, as it allows the carer provide efficient care for the patient and help them live as comfortable as possible during their remaining days.
Emotional and Spiritual Care
Contrary to popular belief, hospice is not a place or medical institution. It’s a service provided to terminally ill patients. And apart from physical health care, caregivers also provide emotional and spiritual care because these are just as important as physical wellness.
When someone is in their deathbed, they would want to be surrounded by loved ones. That is why home hospice care is a solution that many families opt for. The patient’s days are numbered and being with the family to hear stories and last wishes is priceless.
Grief Support
While the patient’s passing is expected, this doesn’t make it any less painful. Most hospice care provides the patient’s family with grief support for at least 12 months after the patient passes away. What the family has gone through caring for a terminally ill patient can be psychologically draining, making grief support essential.
This may include information on the grieving process, phone calls, and an invitation to support groups so they can share stories with others who have gone through the same ordeal. There will be instances where a family member may feel guilt or get depressed, and talking to someone who fully understands what they are going through can help them heal.
You want everything for your loved one to go smoothly during their final days. That is why choosing the best possible option is important. Time is essential when it comes to choosing the best hospice care provider, but it’s crucial to make the right decision.
