Everyone wants to live life to the fullest. We all want to seize the moment and have fun or create a legacy that will live on long after we are gone. The desire gets even stronger when you know you are in the final phase of a terminal illness.
This is where hospice care comes in. A good hospice care services provider will focus on improving your comfort and quality of life hence giving you the freedom you need to enjoy life to the fullest.
Hospice care involves:
- Aggressive pain control to let you live as pain-free as possible
- Emotional, spiritual, and social support to help you be a better all-rounded person
- Any form of support you might need to accomplish some of your practical life goals
Who Qualifies for Hospice Care?
Most people qualifying for hospice care are either at the final stage of a terminal illness with no cure or are very old and battling a hoard of health conditions.
Instead of focusing on remedying the root cause of your health problems, hospice care focuses on battling the symptoms. You, however, first have to come to terms that your illness can’t be cured with current medical technology. Very old people who are no longer strong enough to stay in a senior home can also benefit from hospice services.
Do Hospices Services Feature a Medical Staff?
Yes. Hospices have qualified doctors and registered nurses who administer the necessary drugs and care. Even though the focus isn’t on curing your terminal illnesses, the staff will still treat other curable diseases like bladder infections, pneumonia, or the flu.
You will also be under medical scrutiny to ensure that you don’t succumb to any manageable side symptoms stemming from your terminal illness.
The Theory and History of Hospice Care
The concept of hospice care has its roots deeply seated in the religious pilgrimages of the mid-1800s. Derived from the Latin word ‘hospitium’ for a guesthouse, it captured the spirit of the rest houses designed to comfort sick and weary pilgrims.
Dr. Cicely Saunders adapted this philosophy and birthed modern professional caregiving by establishing St. Christopher’s house in 1967.
Do I Have to Leave My Loved Ones to Get Hospice Care
Not everyone has to leave the comfort of their home to receive hospice care. The philosophy of this form of caregiving is all about making you as comfortable as possible so that you can enjoy your last days with your loved ones.
If possible, volunteers and experts will help you get comfortable at home. If you need more support than can be availed at home, you will be taken to a care house but your friends and family will still have access to you.
Hospice care is a great way for you or your loved ones to enjoy the last six or so months of their life. The extra care and chance to wrap up life in style are more effective than the constant rush of chasing after a fleeting cure.