Hospice services can work hand-in-hand with home care services to help families.
If you asked people who are in the last 6 months of their lives what is most important to them, you’re likely to hear responses such as:
- Retaining control over which services will be provided
- To be pain free
- Spiritual and emotional support
- To remain at home
In-home hospice services meet all of these needs and more, especially when paired with non-medical home care services, like those provided by At-Home Care Company. Together, hospice and home care providers can ensure physical, spiritual, emotional, and practical needs are all addressed, according to the care recipient’s final wishes.
Hospice Services and Home Care Meet Physical Needs
In the final stages of an individual’s life, pain, fatigue, digestive issues, difficulty with breathing, skin irritation, seizures, and other forms of physical distress may occur. It is essential to know how to read the individual’s nonverbal cues and take the appropriate measures to ease symptoms. A hospice nurse will provide medical relief, while a home care provider can:
- Help the person engage in relaxation techniques such as soft music, aromatherapy, reading aloud in a relaxing voice, etc.
- Provide engaging distractions, such as playing a game or cards together, working on an art project, or looking through photo albums
- Offer companionship to let the person know she or he is not alone
In addition, the care team will pay close attention to the individual’s skin. Dry skin and pressure sores are common, and can be eased through consistent repositioning, using lip balm to soothe dry lips and ice chips whenever the inside of the mouth is dry, and ensuring skin stays clean and moisturized.
Hospice and Home Care Meet Emotional/Spiritual Needs
Being available to listen to whatever the person needs to say or discuss can be a tremendous relief. A caregiver can there be for as much or as little time as needed to permit the person to express any feelings and thoughts nonjudgmentally. Our caregivers understand the need for never correcting or disagreeing with the person, or trying to change his/her feelings or thoughts in any respect. The hospice provider and in-home caregiver will also honor and respect the person’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and help provide whatever brings that individual comfort.
Hospice and Home Care Meet Practical Needs
Reducing the responsibility for simple, daily tasks is an incredibly important service for families. It frees up valuable time for them to spend with the person receiving hospice care. In accordance with the family’s wishes, our care team can help with:
- Preparing meals
- Running errands
- Personal hygiene care, such as bathing/showering or bed baths, oral and hair care, incontinence care, and much more
If someone you love is receiving hospice or palliative care, contact At-Home Care Company, a Johnston home health care and senior care provider for the surrounding areas, at 515-292-2650 for a complimentary in-home consultation. We’re here to answer questions any time, and also to share more about how we can enrich quality of life for the person in need of care, and for you, too.