What Can You Expect From Hospice Care?

While many people are sadly not blessed with a long and happy life, there eventually comes a point in life that everyone, at some time or another must face. The body that was once reliable and strong becomes weak and sickly. Age begins to become an enemy of sorts, introducing a multitude of problems that can be challenging and painful to those experiencing them. 

When this happens, when the body no longer has the energy or capacity to properly fight off debilitating disease, many choose to spend their final days in hospice care. It’s a difficult decision to make; in fact, for many, simply hearing the word “hospice” can cause an immediate sense of sorrow and dismay at a person’s current health situation. But often, having a better understanding of what’s to come can help ease the pain and anxiety those impacted constantly experience.

Hospice care is a type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically and terminally ill patients, their pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs during an indescribably difficult time. According to WebMD, a patient may enter a program if your doctor states that you have a terminal illness and that death can be expected in 6-months or less. They can stay in hospice beyond that time if your doctor and the team decide they still have only a short time to live. 

Once a person has been admitted to hospice care, whether at home or in a facility, the patient’s team will come up with a special plan just for you and your loved ones. They will focus on making pain and symptoms better while providing regular checkups. A doctor -- either the patient’s individual doctor or one connected with a program -- will give medical care while nurses and aids also provide medical assistance and help with bathing, dressing, cleaning, and cooking. 

Choosing to place a loved one in hospice care is certainly not an easy decision; after all, for every person that is special to you, it is always too soon to say goodbye, and you hate to think of someone you love in a suffering state. But being properly informed about this final life stage, and the exceptional care people receive once they are in this situation, can only be described as comforting. Our team at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services trusts the 5-star rated St. Thomas Hospice. For more information on Hospice Care and for any and all help regarding funeral arrangements, call our Berwyn location at 708-484-4111 or our Willowbrook location at 630-325-2300.