Sunday, June 19, 2016

Carrolltown Hospice Care Services One May Benefit From

By Gannon G. Hollick


The diagnosis of a terminal illness is, in most cases, very shocking to many patients and their relatives. Many equate such a diagnosis to death and begin to despair. While the primary disease may be incurable, there are associated symptoms that can be managed. If you are living in carrolltown hospice care services may ease the burden of having to take care of the increasingly dependent relative and as well as make sure that they get the best medical care available.

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 can be provided by a hospice when needed. What this means is that for a period of time (usually a couple of days), the duty of taking care of the patient is taken up entirely by the hospice team and the family gets time off. This allows them to travel for a vacation or special event.

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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