Sometimes, it seems like there is nothing but bad days, especially when a loved one is ill. It may feel like nothing but gloomy days ahead for both the diseased and the loved ones. When caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness, the best option is hospice care.
When it comes to palliative care vs. hospice care, you must be familiar with the terms and what they mean. Hospice care cares for and comforts the terminally ill. Specifically, it is the care service dedicated to caring for people nearing the end of life.
Trained medical professionals work hand in hand to address the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of those under hospice care. They also help the family come to terms with the situation by providing counseling, respite care, and practical support. The aim of hospice care is not to provide a cure for terminal illnesses. Instead, the goal is to provide the highest quality of life possible for the patient for however long they have left.
On the other hand, palliative care is specialized medical care primarily for those living with severe medical conditions. This kind of care aims to provide relief from symptoms of the illness and ease accompanying stress. It also works towards improving the quality of life for both the patient and loved ones.
Palliative care tailors to meet the patient's individual needs and work around the specific prognosis. A team of medical workers, including doctors, nurses, and other specialists, gives respite care and relief. By this, they provide additional support in troubling times and desperately needed comfort. It is appropriate for any age and can happen at any stage of the illness. It can also work hand in hand with curative treatment.
Who Can Benefit from Hospice Care?
Hospice care intends to care for patients nearing the end of life. It provides maximum comfort for the terminally ill and attends to their every need. It helps them spend their last days in comfort and ease. According to recent studies, those with terminal illnesses who opt for hospice care tend to live longer and have a better quality of life than those who choose to go for aggressive end-of-life medical care.
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the hospice patients with the most common illnesses that lead to death are more likely to live longer for about a month extra than non-hospice patients with the same problems. The average number of days significantly increases for illnesses like congestive heart failure, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Hospice care does not just have use easing the last days of a loved one. It can also serve to provide care and comfort for the ill and their family. It gives expert care, comfort, and support to the patient and the family in this end-of-life journey.
While many who receive hospice treatment are cancer patients, others suffering from different illnesses can enroll in hospice care. Individuals with heart disease, dementia, kidney failure, or obstructive pulmonary disease can get the proper care needed to live their last days with dignity and less pain.
Early enrollment in hospice care allows the patient to live a better and longer life. Further, it decreases the burden on the family. Specifically, this reduces the likelihood of them dealing with complicated grief since they will be well prepared to handle the loss that will inevitably come.
Where Is Hospice Care Provided?
Most of the time, hospice care occurs at home, where the family member usually acts as the primary caregiver. However, hospice care is not limited to the house alone. It can be in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and dedicated hospice facilities. You can check out hospice care in Los Angeles to explore your options.
It does not matter where hospice care occurs; sometimes, the best available option is the patient's admission to a hospital. Specifically, this is especially apparent when symptoms of the illness cannot be managed in the home setting by the hospice team. But, the need for a hospital to address the new symptoms cropping up does not mean that hospice care will stop; ensuring the ease and comfort of the patient will continue in the hospital.
Conclusion
When it comes to caring for an ill patient, it is always an excellent idea to get additional help. Both palliative care and hospice care can help ease the burden of care, as it ensures that the patient is always put first.