Home and hospice care form an ideal partnership to help meet a variety of needs.
If you were to ask people who are in the last six months of their lives what is most important to them, you are very likely to hear replies such as:
- Retaining control over which services will likely be provided
- To be free from pain
- Emotional and spiritual support
- To remain at home
In-home hospice care meets all of these needs and so much more, particularly when combined with home care services, like those provided by Live Free Home Health Care. Together, home and hospice care providers can ensure physical, spiritual, emotional, and practical needs are all addressed, according to the care recipient’s final wishes.
Home and Hospice Care Meet Physical Needs
Towards the end of an individual’s life, fatigue, pain, difficulty with breathing, digestive issues, seizures, skin irritation, as well as other forms of physical distress may occur. It’s important to understand how to read the person’s nonverbal cues and take the appropriate measures to help ease symptoms. A hospice nurse provides medical relief, while a home care provider is available to:
- Help the person practice relaxation techniques such as soft music, aromatherapy, reading aloud in a soothing voice, etc.
- Offer engaging distractions, such as playing a game or cards together, working on a memory book project, or looking through photo albums
- Offer companionship so that the person knows he or she is not alone
Additionally, the care team will pay close attention to the individual’s skin. Dry skin and pressure sores are common, and can be alleviated through consistent repositioning, using lip balm to soothe dry lips and ice chips if the inside of the mouth is dry, and making sure skin stays clean and moisturized.
Home and Hospice Care Meet Spiritual/Emotional Needs
Being available to listen to whatever the person wants to discuss or say can be an enormous comfort. A caregiver can there be for as much or as little time as desired to allow the person to share any thoughts and feelings nonjudgmentally. Our caregivers understand the importance of never correcting or arguing with the person, or trying to change his/her thoughts or feelings in any respect. The home and hospice care providers will also respect and honor the person’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and help provide whatever brings the individual comfort.
Home and Hospice Care Meet Practical Needs
Reducing the burden of simple, everyday tasks is an exceptionally important service for families. It frees up precious time for them to spend with the individual receiving hospice care. Depending on the family’s wishes, our caregivers can help with:
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Preparing meals
- Running errands
- Personal hygiene care, such as bathing/showering or bed baths, hair and oral care, incontinence care, and so much more
If someone you love is receiving hospice or palliative care, contact Live Free Home Health Care at 603-217-0149 for a free in-home consultation. We are here to answer questions any time, and also to share more information on how our home health care in Concord, NH and nearby communities can enrich quality of life for both the person in need of care, and for you as well.