Hospice at Home: What to Expect

When you’re caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness, a time comes when the focus of care shifts from finding a cure to simply enhancing their quality of life. Hospice care provides resources, professional care, and support for the client and their family during this challenging time.

Hospice care can occur in a variety of settings, including a long-term care community, a hospice residential campus, or wherever the client calls home. What is hospice care at home? This service includes the same support and services available at clinical locations, but it allows your loved one to be cared for in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

Hospice encompasses a variety of services and isn’t “one size fits all.” Your loved one will receive a care plan tailored to their needs, so each family’s experience may look different. Keep reading to learn some aspects of this service you may experience when your loved one receives hospice care at home.

Regular Visits from the Hospice Team

One of the most comforting aspects of hospice care at home is regular visits from care team members. These consistent visits provide your loved ones with the support they need at any time of day or night.

Regularly scheduled visits will address your loved one’s ongoing needs, and the people involved include:

• Registered nurses: Nurses monitor your loved one’s medical condition to manage pain, control symptoms, and ensure comfort.
• Hospice aides: Aides assist with personal care tasks such as grooming, bathing, and moving around.
• Social workers: Social workers manage the emotional and practical aspects of hospice for your loved one and their family members. This includes providing support and coordinating services such as grief counseling and advanced care planning.
• Chaplains or spiritual counselors: These hospice team members offer spiritual and emotional support and serve as a comforting presence during difficult times.
• Volunteers: Volunteers stop by to help with light household tasks, run errands, provide respite care, and serve as companions to both you and your loved one.
• Other medical staff: Certain team members also remain on call in case you need urgent assistance, such as pain management.

Pain and Symptom Management

The core aspect of hospice care is keeping your loved one comfortable by managing pain and mitigating unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and anxiety. Pain and symptom management usually includes the following services:

• Assessing your loved one’s pain level and needs: It’s essential to understand the intensity of your loved one’s discomfort, their physical sensations, and how their condition affects their quality of life.
• Determining the best medication plan: A medication plan may include a combination of over-the-counter pain medicine, opioids, and other medications to mitigate symptoms such as nausea.
• Administering medications: Medications may be administered in a variety of ways, including pills or through an IV, depending on your loved one’s needs.
• Instructing families on how and when to administer medications: Nurses and other medical caregivers will show you how to assess your loved one’s comfort, when to give medicine, and how to recognize when treatment should be adjusted.
• Sharing non-pharmaceutical pain management techniques: These may include heat and cold therapy, massages, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques.

Practical Assistance with Daily Activities

As your loved one’s condition progresses, they may develop limitations and experience difficulty performing self-care tasks. Hospice teams provide compassionate help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, getting dressed, and performing personal hygiene, to keep your loved one comfortable and help them maintain their dignity.

Some hospice plans include help with cooking and eating. Team members can ensure that your loved one’s food is prepared according to their preferences and dietary needs, such as eating small meals or soft, easily digestible food.

Hospice may also include light housekeeping tasks, such as washing laundry and tidying up. You shouldn’t expect these services to replace your own regular housekeeping, but a helping hand can relieve stress and free up time for you to spend with your loved one.

Medical Equipment and Supplies

Hospice at home also provides medical equipment to make life easier and keep your loved one comfortable. As their needs change, the hospice team will add new equipment to the treatment plan without you needing to arrange for these items separately.

Medical equipment provided during hospice care can include:

• Oxygen therapy supplies: Nasal cannulas, portable oxygen tanks, and stationary oxygen concentrators ensure your loved one can breathe comfortably.
• Wound care supplies: Specialized bandages and dressings are designed to prevent infection and keep your loved one comfortable.
• Medical beds: Adjustable beds allow your loved one to change positions more easily.
• Wheelchairs and walkers: Mobility aids help maintain your loved one’s independence, prevent falls, and decrease physical strain.
• Other necessary equipment: Your loved one will be provided with equipment designed to enhance comfort and quality of life, such as lifts for transferring safely in and out of bed, specially designed cushions, and bathroom assistance devices.

Emotional and Spiritual Counseling

Hospice care goes beyond managing pain and other symptoms, taking a holistic approach to well-being for both your loved one and your family. This includes addressing the emotional and spiritual needs that arise during this time.

As your loved one progresses through hospice care, they may experience a range of feelings including sadness, anxiety, or even relief. Hospice-provided counseling services acknowledge and address these overwhelming emotions. Additionally, plenty of resources exist to support families who are coping with grief and loss.

Spiritual care from chaplains and other religious organizations is available through hospice at home to provide a compassionate ear and help clients navigate existential concerns and questions about faith. Spiritual care is personalized to respect each individual’s worldview and provide an outlet for reflection and comfort.

Family Support and Education

Hospice teams benefit your family unit as a whole. By providing practical help, hospice at home frees you and your family to focus less on the logistical details of care and more on enjoying time with your loved one, sharing moments of connection, and making memories.

You’ll receive a thorough education about the care your loved one requires, ensuring you’re well-prepared to handle their evolving needs. This gives you the confidence and tools to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. On-call assistance is also available 24/7, so you’re never alone in the process.

Bereavement counseling and support groups continue to help families after their loved one passes. Grief can feel overwhelming, and hospice at home provides resources to help you and your family process the complex emotions and begin the healing process. You might choose individual counseling or support groups, depending on your preference.

Discover More About Hospice at Home

This time of life is difficult, but you can make the most of it with hospice at home. Your loved one and your family can spend quality time in the comfort of a familiar, supportive environment while receiving professional, tailored care.

If you would like more information about hospice services, including those available through WesleyLife, The Complete Guide to Hospice is the in-depth source you need.