Friday, June 17, 2016

Carrolltown Hospice Care Services One May Benefit From

By Gannon G. Hollick


Terminal illnesses present a major challenge to the patient, their relatives and even the healthcare team that is involved in the treatment. For the patient, such a diagnosis is often shocking and there is every likelihood of going into despair. For the relatives, the challenges revolve around the harsh reality of losing a loved one and providing the much needed care at the end of their journey in the world. There are a number of benefits Carrolltown hospice care services provide as we shall see in this article.

One of the most important roles of a hospice is to ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible. This enables them to continue being in charge of their lives and to make important decisions that are usually required at that point. Any cancer medications prescribed by the doctor continue to be administered to take care of the pain and any other associated symptoms. Side effects related to the medications are managed as well.

There are several options that you can consider once you make up your mind to enroll a loved one into a hospice. One of the types is one in which most of the care is provided at home. The second type is where the patient is admitted indefinitely to a facility as an inpatient. Most people choose a combination of the two so that the patient spends most of the time at home and is only admitted in case of complications.

Many of these facilities have a program that manages of spiritual health for their patients. This is important because persons whose time in the world is coming to an end have many questions related to life and whether or not there is an afterlife. With science providing very little in credible solutions, religion remains the only source of hope at this point. Regular visits by religious leaders, use of literature and engagement in fellowships are some of the ways of engaging patients.

The family should be involved actively in the treatment process to realize optimal results. Hospices often organize meetings that are usually led by the hospice nurse or doctor. The healthcare provider informs of the family of the progress being made or whether there are any challenges that should be addressed. In addition both the patient and the family members get an opportunity to express themselves about various aspects of the illness which in the long run helps to improve management.

The treatment of cancer requires multidisciplinary input due to its complexity. The multidisciplinary team usually includes, among others, the nurse, the doctor, pharmacists and the clergy. Ordinarily, it is quite difficult to have all the required specialists available for the patient. The hospice makes it easier for them to make coordinated visits and to consult with each other on the best way on how to manage a particular patient.

Respite care may be arranged for families that need a bit of time off. In such circumstances, the patient is accommodated in a hospice outside the home so that the other family members get a chance to go for a vacation, attend an event or simply rest. This duration varies from a few days to about two weeks as per the agreement.

Within months or a couple of years death is bound to strike. Both the patient and their relatives need to be prepared for this event by the hospice. The hospice should ideally provide support during the mourning period through counseling services by a professional counselor or a clergy member. In some instances, the hospice provides a funeral director to help with burial arrangements.




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