At some point, every person will face the end of life. For those individuals who've been diagnosed with a terminal medical condition, hospice care may be the best option. Many senior citizens who are in their final days often benefit from receiving elderly hospice care, which can also put the minds of their loved ones at greater ease.
What are the goals of hospice care?
Hospice care isn't about curing a person or trying to save their life; it's about making them feel comfortable in their final days. A hospice care team works to minimize pain and other symptoms that a patient is feeling to try to alleviate suffering. Medications or other treatments that were intended to try to cure or slow down the progress of the medical condition are usually stopped when hospice care begins.
Who is eligible to receive hospice care?
A patient who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that's expected to end their life in six months or less is usually eligible to receive hospice care. Hospice care may be granted if treatments have been tried to cure or slow the progression of the medical condition with little to no success. If the patient lives longer than six months after hospice care has been started, the care may be extended if the medical condition is still considered to be terminal.
Who provides elderly hospice care?
Hospice care is often provided by a team, which includes doctors and nurses who are trained in this field. Home health aides may also be part of the team to help a patient bathe, dress, and do other things that they can't do alone. Other professionals who sometimes make up a hospice care team include social workers, spiritual advisors, and volunteer caregivers.
Where is elderly hospice care provided?
Home hospice care is an option for many seniors who can still live at home and don't require frequent trips to the hospital. Elderly hospice care can also be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers.
Does insurance cover this type of care?
Medicare insurance usually covers at least part of the hospice care expenses, and some other government insurance plans, such as Medicaid, may also provide coverage. Most individual or employer-paid insurance plans pay for at least a portion of hospice care expenses.
What happens if the patient's condition improves?
If the health condition improves to a point that it's no longer considered to be terminal, the patient may be moved out of hospice care. Palliative care is often an option for patients who no longer need hospice care, and this type of care is still intended to alleviate symptoms and discomfort while working to treat and possibly cure the condition.
Hospice care is intended to make the final phase of life easier for terminally ill patients and their loved ones. A qualified healthcare professional can give you more information about this care option and help you decide if it's the right decision for you or a loved one. For more information on elderly hospice care, contact a professional near you.
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