| As a caregiver to a terminally ill loved one, one of | | | | that they can be as comfortable as possible. |
| the hardest decisions you may ever need to | | | | Another main decision to make is who will be the |
| make is regarding hospice care. It's an extremely | | | | primary caregiver for the patient. If it is a family |
| difficult decision to make but once you realize that | | | | member or members then the hospice care |
| medical treatment has gone as far as it can it's | | | | program should offer a respite so that the |
| time for the patient to be in a place where there | | | | caregivers can take much needed rest at |
| is warmth and caring and they can spend quality | | | | intervals while not worrying about how the patient |
| private time together with their loved ones. | | | | is doing. The hospice care program should set up |
| Hospice is not a place; it's a concept about the | | | | the equipment the patient needs and train the |
| quality of life as it nears its end for the patients | | | | caregiver to administer any medication. If a skilled |
| and their families and friends. Even when medicine | | | | nurse is required, this service may be offered by |
| cannot provide a cure, it can offer comfort, care | | | | the hospice care program depending on the kind |
| and assistance that can help maintain a better | | | | of treatment the patient is receiving. |
| quality of life for the patient. Hospice care is | | | | A recent study showed that hospice care patients |
| based on the belief that through sensitive, | | | | were significantly more pleased with the care |
| appropriate care and the support of a caring | | | | they received and hospice care patients' |
| community, terminally ill patients and their families | | | | caregivers showed more satisfaction and less |
| can begin to prepare to face the inevitable | | | | anxiety than did those in traditional medical care. |
| challenges ahead. | | | | Hospice care patients also experienced significantly |
| This type of attention, also called palliative care, | | | | less depression throughout the process. |
| involves the aggressive treatment of physical and | | | | Do your research and make an informed decision |
| emotional pain and symptoms. It focuses on | | | | about hospice care for your loved one and take |
| enhancing a patient's comfort and improving | | | | into account the patient's own wishes. Ensure that |
| quality of life for all those involved. An acceptable | | | | all family members are involved in the decision and |
| hospice care program can even be provided at | | | | that everyone understands who the caregivers |
| the patient's home. It is built around the idea that | | | | are and when each is responsible for care. You |
| quality of life and a person's dignity are essential. | | | | can provide the patient with a great deal of |
| The family is extensively involved in the caring | | | | comfort when making this decision based on |
| and the emphasis is on life. Hospice care enables a | | | | physical, emotional, and spiritual factors. |
| patient to manage pain and other symptoms so | | | | |