Compared to a hospital, a hospice provides broader patient care, particularly for individuals with long term disease conditions. Hospices are there to meet the needs of the individual in terms of their emotion, spirituality and more importantly, ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible. Hospitals may not be able to provide such wholesome care because the atmosphere itself could be lonely for the patient as they may lack somebody to identify with. Most patients in hospitals are able to be restored back to health, leaving those with terminal conditions alone and devastated. There are several things on hospice care Bellevue WA residents need to know.
Cancer in one of the typical reasons that one seeks care in a hospice. In its most advanced stages, it is very difficult to eradicate. Patients are put on chemotherapeutic drugs to shrink the tumor and to keep it from multiplying further. Pain is a recurring factor among most individuals undergoing palliative care. In principle, patients live on opioid medication in order to stay sane.
Unfortunately, if given at a very high dose, they may end up causing depression of the respiratory system. It is important to ensure that analgesic drugs are readily available as pain is usually a traumatic experience for them. High strength opioids such as morphine, pethidine and fentanyl are the most preferred because of how effective they are.
Apart from managing pain, there are other physical needs that need to be met depending on how advanced the disease. Some patients may require assisted feeding if they are not able to feed on their own, for one reason or another. A tube may have to be inserted all the way to the stomach, from the mouth or the nose to act as a conduit for food material. Difficulties in feeding could be because the muscles are paralyzed or there is a tumor that is blocking the flow of food material.
Massive cancers of the lower gastrointestinal system may result in inability to pass stool. In such cases, a colostomy may have to be fashioned to divert stool from going to the obstructed area. Patients with permanent stomas require proper care of the bag and the skin area. The bag needs to be changed regularly and the skin around the bag should be treated with special cream to minimize excoriation.
Individuals suffering from chronic illnesses are bound in bed for most of the day and night. They are therefore at very high risk of developing bed sores. Nurses should be sure to turn them over regularly to reduce the risk of pressures. Their skin also need to be kept dry by applying special skin powder. In addition, diapers should be changed frequently.
To meet spiritual needs, clergy men are available in hospices to give hope to patients. They can read inspiring verses to them, sing to them as well as pray for them. This encourages the patients to live every single day with hope and cheer on their faces even in the midst of a storm.
In a nut shell, hospice care is indicated for patients suffering from terminal illness such as cancer, advanced disease of the respiratory system and immunological conditions among others. The goal is to keep the patients in the most comfortable state emotionally, physically and spiritually. Healthcare providers need to work closely with the clergy and family to ensure wholesome care.
Cancer in one of the typical reasons that one seeks care in a hospice. In its most advanced stages, it is very difficult to eradicate. Patients are put on chemotherapeutic drugs to shrink the tumor and to keep it from multiplying further. Pain is a recurring factor among most individuals undergoing palliative care. In principle, patients live on opioid medication in order to stay sane.
Unfortunately, if given at a very high dose, they may end up causing depression of the respiratory system. It is important to ensure that analgesic drugs are readily available as pain is usually a traumatic experience for them. High strength opioids such as morphine, pethidine and fentanyl are the most preferred because of how effective they are.
Apart from managing pain, there are other physical needs that need to be met depending on how advanced the disease. Some patients may require assisted feeding if they are not able to feed on their own, for one reason or another. A tube may have to be inserted all the way to the stomach, from the mouth or the nose to act as a conduit for food material. Difficulties in feeding could be because the muscles are paralyzed or there is a tumor that is blocking the flow of food material.
Massive cancers of the lower gastrointestinal system may result in inability to pass stool. In such cases, a colostomy may have to be fashioned to divert stool from going to the obstructed area. Patients with permanent stomas require proper care of the bag and the skin area. The bag needs to be changed regularly and the skin around the bag should be treated with special cream to minimize excoriation.
Individuals suffering from chronic illnesses are bound in bed for most of the day and night. They are therefore at very high risk of developing bed sores. Nurses should be sure to turn them over regularly to reduce the risk of pressures. Their skin also need to be kept dry by applying special skin powder. In addition, diapers should be changed frequently.
To meet spiritual needs, clergy men are available in hospices to give hope to patients. They can read inspiring verses to them, sing to them as well as pray for them. This encourages the patients to live every single day with hope and cheer on their faces even in the midst of a storm.
In a nut shell, hospice care is indicated for patients suffering from terminal illness such as cancer, advanced disease of the respiratory system and immunological conditions among others. The goal is to keep the patients in the most comfortable state emotionally, physically and spiritually. Healthcare providers need to work closely with the clergy and family to ensure wholesome care.
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You can find an overview of the advantages you get when you use hospice care Bellevue WA services at http://www.pacmedinhomecare.com/elderly-care-service-in-bellevue-wa right now.
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