What to Expect During End of Life Care

What to Expect During End of Life Care

end of life careThere is a perception or misconception with “hospice” or “hospice care”. Most tend to think that they are giving up. Hospice is actually a beautiful end of life care program that helps the patients and their families enjoy their time together in whatever time span that may be. The Angels Grace Hospice program is geared toward providing comfort and dignity during their end of life journey.

When to Discuss End of Life Care

At any time during a life-limiting illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice care. The decision to receive hospice care belongs to the patient and their family. Our Angels Grace Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to a patient and family’s concerns about moving from curative treatment to comfort care and are available to discuss any concerns about treatment or care.

In the beginning, hospice is a learning process for both the patient and the family. Our staff at Angels Grace develops an individualized care plan for the patients and also provides education and support.

As we continue to learn about our patients’ needs and support them through the hospice care process, we also do our best to assist them into “living” the best life through this journey.

Our entire team continues to ensure that their  hospice plan of care remains effective.

The plan consists of:

  • Hospice physician and nursing support
  • Ongoing assessments of needs, personal care, medication and symptom management, medical equipment needs,
  • Wound care (if needed)
  • Emotional and spiritual support

The hospice team continuously adjusts and modifies the plan of care as needed to promote a peaceful and dignified death.

We continue to grow that trusting relationship with our patient and families. Medical Directors, Nurses, Hospice Aides, Social Workers, Palliative Care, Chaplains, Reflexology, Pet Therapy and Volunteers assist and prepare the comfort of our patient and family for End of life.  They educate and support on what to expect as changes occur, especially when end of life is imminent.

Our Hospice doctors and nurses are up-to-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief.

Angels Grace Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, and it addresses each.

Palliative care and Hospice go hand and hand. Palliative Care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with both chronic and life-threatening illnesses, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Angels Grace Hospice provides a customized care plan to meet the specific needs of patients.  We provide comfort care in your home, hospital, nursing home or assisted-living facility depending on your individual circumstances.  Contact us with any questions and for further assistance with your end of life care options.