Learn how home care and hospice providers work together to help families.
If you were to ask those who are in the last 6 months of their lives specifically what is most important to them, you’re very likely to hear replies including:
- 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 much more, particularly when combined with non-medical home care services, like those provided by Hearts at Home In-Home Care. Together, home care and hospice providers can ensure physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs are all addressed, in accordance with the care recipient’s final wishes.
Hospice and Home Care Providers Meet Physical Needs
Towards the end of an individual’s life, fatigue, pain, difficulty with breathing, digestive issues, seizures, skin irritation, and other forms of physical distress may occur. It is important to know how to read the person’s nonverbal cues and take steps to relieve symptoms. A hospice nurse will provide medical relief, while a home care provider can:
- Help the person take part in relaxation techniques, for example, soft music, aromatherapy, reading aloud in a calming voice, etc.
- Offer engaging distractions, such as playing cards or a game together, working on a memory book project, or looking through photo albums
- Offer companionship to let the person know he or she is not alone
Furthermore, the care team will pay close attention to the individual’s skin. Dry skin and pressure sores are not unusual, and may be eased through consistent repositioning, using lip balm to soothe dry lips and ice chips if the inside of the mouth is dry, and ensuring skin stays clean and moisturized.
Hospice and Home Care Meet Spiritual/Emotional Needs
Being available to listen to whatever the person wants to discuss or say can be a tremendous relief. A caregiver is there for as much or as little time as needed to permit the person to express any thoughts and feelings nonjudgmentally. Our caregivers understand the need for never correcting or disagreeing with the person, or attempting to change his/her thoughts or feelings in any way. The hospice provider and in-home caregiver will also honor and respect the person’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and help provide whatever brings the person comfort.
Hospice and Home Care Meet Practical Needs
Reducing the burden of simple, everyday tasks is an incredibly important service for families. It frees up precious time for them to spend with the individual receiving hospice care. According to 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, oral and hair care, incontinence care, and much more
If someone you love is receiving hospice or palliative care, contact Hearts at Home In-Home Care at 913-440-4209 for a free in-home consultation. We’re here to answer questions any time, and to share more about how our in home support services in Kansas City or the surrounding areas can enrich quality of life for both the person in need of care, and for you, too. For a full list of all of the communities where we provide care, please visit our Service Area page.