There’s some confusion over hospice care and respite care. Much of this is because Medicaid’s coverage provides respite care as a hospice benefit. Respite care and hospice care are not the same things. Hospice care involves the comfort measures provided by skilled nurses to a person with a terminal illness. Respite care offers a break to family caregivers who are starting to feel overwhelmed by the home care they provide a parent or family member.
Your family has some options when it comes to this level of care. For some, it’s best to have home health care nurses provide care in a familiar setting. Your family should know about hospice care and home health care.
The Final Stages of a Chronic Disease Can Be Emotionally Straining
Watching your parent get older is already challenging. When a chronic health condition like heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, or dementia reaches the end stages, it’s not something to manage on your own. It’s exhausting physically and mentally.
Your mom or dad needs extra attention at all hours. They may require you to crush their medications and spoon-feed them. If they’re bedridden, sores can form and need wound care to prevent an infection. When you’re not familiar with the best practices for treating and preventing bedsores, it’s complex care that you may not be comfortable handling.
Home health care nurses are skilled in these needs. They can administer IV medications, give injections, and take care of wound care. They know when a doctor needs to be alerted. They can take vital signs and report any changes to your mom or dad’s doctor.
Not only are they available to ensure your parent is comfortable through the end stages of a disease, but you have support. You’ll find it’s important to have someone available to walk you through what happens next.
Where Does Hospice Care Take Place?
There are hospice care facilities with around-the-clock nurses, aides, and on-call or on-site doctors. These facilities are designed to offer the comforts of home, but they’re not home. If your mom or dad wants to be at home, home health care nurses specializing in hospice care services are the best option.
With home care nurses supporting your family in the end stages of a disease, your parent is in a comfortable setting in their home. Nurses are available to help with medications and treatments, keeping your mom or dad comfortable.
It’s a highly emotional time. Nurses are also there for your emotional support as your mom or dad goes through the final stages. Talk to a home health care agency to make arrangements.
Incredicare is a Trusted Home Care in Chantilly, VA, serving Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Oakton, and Woodbridge Virginia. And the surrounding areas. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838
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