When people hear hospice, they picture a brief period at the end of life when a person is very sick. However, the reality can be quite different.
Hospice care isn’t a rigid timeline. It’s a spectrum of support designed to align with the unique progression of a person’s illness. The median length of stay in hospice is around three weeks, but patients can remain in hospice care for significantly longer periods. Patients often live past the initial six-month prognosis and continue receiving care with periodic recertification by their doctor.
Early hospice enrollment
Understanding that hospice can extend beyond the commonly perceived short-term outlook is crucial. The misconception that hospice is only for the final days can prevent families from experiencing the benefits of prolonged, supportive, hospice care. Timely hospice admission can lead to better symptom management, improved quality of life, and even a slight extension of life expectancy compared to those who don’t opt for it.
Hospice is far from morbid
It’s not about gloom and doom, nor is it about patients lying bedridden, withering away.
CHP Hospice is dedicated to helping patients live the remainder of their lives with as much joy and comfort as possible. While there are moments when symptoms can hinder them from doing everything they wish, the hospice team strives to manage symptoms so patients can enjoy their remaining time to the fullest.
A patient’s final wishes play a crucial role in hospice care. Rather than focusing on limitations, it’s more about what patients can still do and enjoy. The CHP Angel Foundation works with hospices throughout the state of Ohio to fulfill meaningful wishes for terminally ill adults.
The focus for caregivers is never on helping someone die—but on helping patients live their best lives with the time they have left. The CHP Hospice staff works tirelessly to create the best possible patient experiences during their remaining days.
How does duration affect patient experience?
Unfortunately for most, hospice begins late in their illness, when they have only weeks or even days left to live. This short duration can limit the ability of hospice staff to build meaningful relationships with patients and their families, potentially affecting the personalized care that hospice aims to provide.
On the other hand, long-term hospice care allows for a more comprehensive and individualized approach. This extended duration enables hospice staff to thoroughly understand and address the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. The care team can better manage symptoms, offer consistent emotional support, and ensure that the patient’s final months are as comfortable and fulfilling as possible.
Long-term hospice allows families more time to prepare emotionally and logistically for their loved one’s passing. It provides a valuable opportunity for family members to be involved in the care process, creating lasting memories and ensuring that the patient’s wishes are honored.
Ultimately, whether short or long-term, hospice is vital to enhancing the quality of life during life’s final chapter.
Elements of long-term hospice care
When you or a loved one enters long-term hospice care, understanding the key elements of care and what to expect can make the journey less overwhelming. In long-term hospice, care is centered around comfort, dignity, and support not only for the patient but also for their family.
1. Comprehensive Care Team: Long-term hospice involves a multidisciplinary team devoted to providing holistic care. This team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, therapists, aides, and volunteers. Each member of the team brings a unique set of skills and expertise to ensure the patient’s needs are met from every angle.
2. Holistic Pain and Symptom Management: One of the primary goals of hospice is to manage pain and other distressing symptoms effectively. This means utilizing medications, therapies, and alternative treatments to ensure that the patient remains as comfortable as possible. Regular assessments are conducted to adjust care plans as needed, always keeping the patient’s comfort at the forefront.
3. Emotional and Spiritual Support: Coping with a life-limiting illness is challenging, and hospice provides emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. This may include counseling and spiritual care tailored to the patient’s beliefs and desires. The aim is a peaceful, comforting environment where emotional needs are respected and addressed.
4. Family Support and Counseling: The impact of terminal illness extends beyond the patient, affecting families and caregivers profoundly. Long-term hospice care includes extensive support for families and includes respite care, counseling, and assistance with decision-making and end-of-life planning. These services help families navigate this challenging time with greater ease and clarity.
5. 24/7 Availability: Needs can arise at any time, so CHP Hospice staff are available 24/7 to provide support and care, including after-hour emergencies. Having local nurses ensures that help is always just a phone call away, offering peace of mind to both patients and their families.
6. Personalized Care: Effective long-term hospice care involves regular meetings with patients and their families to discuss care plans, progress, and any needed adjustments. Care is always personalized and everyone involved feels heard and supported.
These key elements of hospice are designed to maximize quality of life and provide compassionate, comprehensive support in the final stages of life-limiting illnesses. Understanding them can help you make more confident and informed decisions.
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