When a loved one suffers from a life-limiting illness, family members naturally want to keep them as safe and comfortable as possible. In-home hospice care is a perfect way to help your loved one remain at home, surrounded by the love and comfort of family and familiar surroundings.
Professional in-home care, in addition to hospice care, allows your family to enjoy as much time as possible together, while providing necessary assistance with the activities of daily living.
When Is End-of-Life Care Appropriate?
End of life care at home is an option under a variety of circumstances.
For example, end-of-life care might be appropriate if your loved one has a progressing illness for which there are no further treatment options. If their condition continues to worsen, this can significantly degrade their quality of life. Choosing an experienced, compassionate in-home care provider can help them remain at home as comfortably as possible and maximize the time your family has together.
This option is also appropriate when a family member has served as the primary caregiver, but they cannot always be present or they can no longer have the capacity to support their loved one’s non-medical care needs.
How Does Home Hospice with In-Home Care Work?
Hospice care is typically provided through an organization specializing in palliative care. However, hospice care does not necessarily have the extended time available to provide the daily care many patients require.
In-home care would be an appropriate addition to hospice services. Here a licensed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNAs) has the skills and qualifications to care for the patient between hospice visits. These knowledgeable and caring aides provide the level of assistance that is appropriate to the patient’s needs, specifically with regard to the six activities of daily living, or ADLs.
This might involve simply being present with your loved one, keeping them company and providing social stimulation. They might prepare meals, assist the patient in eating and clean up afterward. If the patient has mobility challenges, they can assist with anything from bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and more.
Every service provided by in-home aides is delivered with loving care and compassion as well as tact and decorum. The overarching goals are to ensure the patient’s comfort, boost their morale and prevent them from becoming frustrated or disheartened about any challenges they’re experiencing in handling the activities of daily living.
Professional caregivers can cover for family members acting as the primary caregiver or take over care when and when the primary can no longer tend to their loved one’s needs.
Seek Professional Assistance with In-Home Care
The best way to determine whether in-home care is right for you is to consult with a home healthcare agency that offers end-of-life care services. An in-home care evaluation will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about your options and determine how an agency can help you provide the compassionate care and comfort your loved one deserves.
Comfort Home Care, serving clients Howard and Montgomery Counties and Washington DC area, provides non-medical end-of-life care at home. Our services support families and primary caregivers, handling the daily tasks that make life easier for the patient. We also serve a critical role in your loved one’s social interaction, helping them enjoy the greatest possible level of comfort and peace of mind.
Comfort Home Care would like to offer you a complimentary in-home evaluation with one of our Registered Nurses (RN), contact us today. We can develop a personalized care plan to best meet the needs of your loved one and your family. If you would like to learn more about our in-home end of life care services or schedule an evaluation, please contact us today.
