As a loved one’s health begins to fade, families need to consider various care options that align with a person’s wishes as well as the type of care their condition calls for. As this can be a difficult decision, one of the many available options is hospice care. Hospice care allows patients to be as comfortable as possible while dealing with their conditions. Aleca provides top-quality Phoenix, AZ hospice care with a team of highly skilled medical professionals. We’re going to take a closer look at what hospice entails so that you and your family can decide if this care is the right choice.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care emphasizes giving patients the best quality of life rather than trying to cure their illnesses. Hospice care focuses on providing patients the dignity and comfort they deserve during their last days. Those who enter hospice care generally have six months or less to live without medical intervention.[1]
Many patients with a terminal illness may choose to forego medical treatments that are harming their quality of life and choose hospice care for their final days, especially if there is no cure for their disease. They would much rather be placed in a comfortable setting to spend time with their loved ones for as long as possible. Hospice care is available 24 hours a day. Additionally, someone is always available to answer questions and offer support when needed.
People with a variety of conditions often choose hospice care. This includes those with:
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Lung Disease
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Kidney Disease
These conditions often lead to other symptoms that are difficult to control and make everyday life painful. Hospice care can help to make these patients as comfortable as possible without trying to cure their illnesses.[2]
When Should Families Begin Considering Hospice Care?
When terminally ill patients begin to decline in health and curative options are no longer working, families can consider hospice care. As mentioned above, some patients choose to stop treatments that are impacting their quality of life and opt for hospice care instead.
Where Does Hospice Care Take Place?
Many people assume that hospice care only takes place at a designated center. While plenty of places can prove this care, hospice care can be provided anywhere a patient calls home. This can be at their home, nursing home, or elsewhere. Many people choose to have hospice care at home because that is where they feel most comfortable and where they can spend the most time with their loved ones during their final days.
Paying for Phoenix, AZ Hospice Care
There are many different options to pay for hospice care. Medicare will cover hospice care if a Medicare-approved provider gives it.[3] You can check with your doctor or hospice provider to see if they are on the list. Patients with a Medicare Advantage Plan can also ask for assistance in finding a local provider. Private insurance companies can also pay for hospice care.
Medicaid can also cover hospice, but coverage can vary since these are state-run programs. It’s best to check with your specific program to see what’s covered.
Benefits of Hospice Care
There are many benefits of hospice care for both patients and families, such as:
Improved Quality of Life
Since the focus of care shifts from trying to cure a disease to making a person more comfortable, they can expect the best quality of life possible during their remaining days.
Gives Patients Time to Spend with Loved Ones
Rather than spending time in and out of the hospital, hospice care allows patients to spend more time with their loved ones. Family members can visit more easily and frequently.
Support for Caregivers & Family
Hospice care also supports caregivers and families. This can include social workers, clergy, and volunteers who can give caregivers the respite they need during this difficult time.
Phoenix, AZ Hospice Care with Aleca Health
When you choose Aleca as your provider for hospice care, you can expect a hospice team that includes several medical professionals:
- Attending Physician to provide medical management
- Registered nurse care manager to coordinate with physicians and provide direct patient care
- Medical director to provide information on hospice care
- Certified nurse practitioners who will provide pain management
- Director of clinical services to coordinate care between the patient and care team
- Social workers for direct support and counseling
- Home health aides to help with personal care
- Volunteers to provide emotional support and companionship
Aleca also provides all of the necessary medical equipment that patients need for hospice care. Our team focuses on the emotional needs of the patients and families, providing support when required. We are committed to patient-centered care that follows patients’ wishes during their last days. Contact us today to learn more about Aleca Hospice Care.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care#palliative
[2] https://hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Care/Hospice-Services
[3] https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-part-a-covers/how-hospice-works
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.