When you hear the word “hospice,” what do you think? There are many questions, myths and misconceptions surrounding this topic, and because of the sensitivity that some people feel, often they don’t ask questions until they’re in the middle of a crisis.
“Hospice is an integral part of the end-of-life journey, which makes it difficult for families and individuals to talk about,” says Trish McKay, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, a memory care assisted living community in Trumbull, CT. “Yes, it can be a hard topic, but hospice is a very beneficial service that can help make your loved one comfortable up until the end of their days. At Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull, we encourage family members to talk about and consider this sensitive topic as early on as possible, because hospice care, when done properly, can be a beautiful and wonderful gift to your loved one … and to yourself, as well.”
What is hospice care?
This is one of the most common – and confusing – questions surrounding this topic. Many people are confused as to what this type of care is and what it’s not.
“Hospice isn’t a specific service – rather, it’s a philosophy of care,” says Trish. “It’s the idea of treating a person, rather than the disease, and focusing on quality of life over any sort of ‘cure’ or ‘treatment.’ ” Hospice isn’t just for the person with the life-limiting illness – hospice care encompasses friends and family members, too.
It’s also important to clarify what hospice is not, says Trish. “A lot of people feel like hospice is ‘giving up’ or ‘hastening death,’ which is not the case at all,” she says. “The philosophy of hospice is celebrating the remaining time your loved one has left and making them as comfortable, happy and fulfilled as possible.”
Who is eligible for hospice care?
Individuals who benefit from hospice care are patients with serious and life-limiting issues, like dementia, cancer or other terminal illnesses. Usually, these diseases have progressed to a point where day-to-day living is painful or uncomfortable in some way (mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically). Many of these individuals are living with unwanted symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and others) that are either caused by the disease or even caused by medical treatments that have been used to treat the disease.
Individuals are eligible for hospice care when a doctor diagnoses them with six months or less to live (although it doesn’t necessarily mean that the individual will pass away during that time). The earlier an individual is admitted into hospice care, the sooner they and their family can receive support and services like pain management, spiritual and emotional support, medical equipment and supplies (at no cost to the family) and respite care.
Where does hospice care take place?
Another big misconception about hospice is that it takes place in a certain center or facility. While there are hospice homes and facilities available, hospice can take place anywhere – even at a family home or a retirement community. Depending on what the patient requires and where in the process they are, hospice teams can be around-the-clock, once-a-day visits or even just a few times a month.
What sort of services does hospice provide?
Most people think of nurses and medications when they hear the word hospice. Those are definitely part of the care provided, but it’s just a small sliver of everything that hospice encompasses. Here are just some of the services hospice care provides for individuals and their family members:
- Doctor services
- Nursing care
- Medical supplies (such as bandages and catheters)
- Medical equipment (such as hospital beds, wheelchairs or walkers)
- Drugs to control pain and other symptoms
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Home health aide and homemaker services
- Speech therapy (to help with problems such as swallowing)
- Dietary counseling
- Social worker services
- Emotional and spiritual counseling to help the patient and family with grief and loss
- Short-term in-patient care in the hospital
- Respite care for family members
When is it time to consider hospice care?
Much like the choice to move a loved one into a memory care facility, deciding when to start hospice services is a hard, emotional decision. However, most families and individuals say they wish they had known about hospice care sooner and started it much earlier in the process.
There is no “right” time to start hospice services, and it is a very personal decision. It really comes down to quality of life and how your loved one is faring. If you see him or her becoming more and more ill, having difficulty performing daily tasks or their quality of life is becoming increasingly worse – with no cure in sight – it may be time to discuss hospice with their doctor. (In order to begin hospice care, there are certain medical requirements that must be met.)
Research has shown that hospice care can increase both quality of life and the length of the individual’s remaining days. Families who choose to receive hospice care near the end of their loved one’s life often have a harder time with bereavement than those whose loved one has received care for weeks or months prior to their passing.
Who pays for hospice?
Long-term care insurance, Medicare and Medicaid all can cover hospice costs when a doctor has deemed it medically necessary.
“As a dedicated memory care community, Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull understands the importance that hospice care provides in the lives of our residents and their families,” says Trish. “We know it’s a very personal and emotional decision for family members, and our care team can help navigate this decision and beyond with understanding, compassion and grace. Our ultimate goal is to provide enriching, fulfilling and high-quality care for those who call us home, and hospice care is an important and meaningful part of that. It is our honor to care for our residents … and it is our ultimate honor to help them through the final stages of their journey with us.”
Dedicated Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull delivers highly specialized memory care assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resident-centered approach focuses on providing dignity, purpose and moments of joy in daily life for those in all stages of the disease. We offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that centers around a resident’s current skills and abilities, not those that have been lost to dementia.
Life-Enriching Programs
Our team members take an active role in getting to know each resident on a personal level to deliver programming that is meaningful to them. We account for the preferences, interests, needs and abilities of our residents to connect with them and encourage their involvement in daily life and boost self-esteem.
Warm, Residential Atmosphere
Featuring a stunning residential design, every inch of our community has been designed to benefit those with memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable, safe and at home.
Contact us today to learn more.