When you have a loved one who is terminally ill, you may have to make the emotional decision of whether to begin hospice care. Hospice care can provide your loved one with the comfort they need during their final days. It can also give patients and families the emotional support they need during this difficult time. As we look closer at what hospice care entails, we’ll also share what Aleca can offer for hospice care in Arizona.
Who is Hospice Care For?
Hospice care is for patients who have a terminal illness, generally with six months or less to live. Other patients may have a severe illness and wish to stop treatment so that they can spend their final days with family and friends. [1]
Hospice care focuses on providing patient care and comfort and helping them maintain the best quality of life possible during their final days. People entering hospice care understand that there will be no medications given to improve their condition. Still, they may receive medical help to reduce pain and make them comfortable during this time.
Sometimes, doctors will recommend hospice care, while other times, patients and families may start the process themselves. If the latter is the case, a doctor must agree that a patient meets the qualifications for hospice care.
Some patients receiving hospice care have the following conditions:
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Cardiac Disease
- COPD
- Strokes
- Parkinson’s Disease
Patients can receive hospice care at home or in a facility such as a nursing home, hospital, or hospice care center.
What Does Hospice Care Entail?
Hospice agencies provide many services for patients and their families. Patients can receive medication management for pain, nausea, and depression. [2] They can also receive medical equipment such as wheelchairs, oxygen, or hospital beds.
Nurses are the hospice providers that patients see most often regarding one-on-one care. Appointments may be made daily, but nurses typically visit once or twice a week, depending on the patient’s condition. The nurse will check vital signs and see if any changes need to be made to the medication prescribed. Nurses can also help with a patient’s hygienic care, such as bathing.
Hospice care is also there to provide support for families. Families can get help when it comes to figuring out medical bills and legal documents, as well as bereavement services.
How Hospice Care Can Help Families During this Emotional Time
Besides help with paperwork and legal documents, hospice care in Arizona can also provide crucial emotional support. Social workers and spiritual advisors are available to help families if needed. These resources can help families come to terms with the situation and process the emotions of sadness, fear, and anger that they may be experiencing. These services are also available for patients undergoing the same feelings.
At Aleca, we provide social workers, chaplains, and support from volunteers who can relieve family members caring for their loved ones at home. This can give family members time to rest and process their emotions.
Hospice care also provides continued bereavement support for 13 months after a loved one passes away if family members need it. These services, combined with excellent medical care, can help both patients and their families.
What to Look for When Searching for Hospice Care
When you are looking for a hospice care agency for your loved one, you first need to be sure that the agency is licensed and supervised to provide the type of care you need. Once you have someone in mind, check their history and reputation. Be sure there have been no medical violations and that the agency is reputable.
As a hospice care agency, you want to be sure you will receive the care you need and can always reach someone in an emergency. Ask about cost and insurance coverage as well. Medicare covers the cost of hospice care. Medicaid and private insurance companies will also typically cover the service, but you may need to use a specific provider [1].
Seek Hospice Care in Arizona with Aleca
If you are looking for hospice care in Arizona, Aleca is here to help. When you choose Aleca for hospice care, you can expect the following:
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Medication management
- Medical equipment
- Pain and symptom control
- Respite for family caregivers
Aleca Hospice in Arizona is available throughout Maricopa County and parts of Northwestern Pinal County. Our team is here to provide patients and families with all the care they need during this emotional time. Call us today to learn more.
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Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.