Experiencing the end of life like this, isn’t something most people want to think about.
Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that hospice care can be provided wherever the patient calls home, such as their private house, caregiver’s house (if the patient lives there), apartment, nursing home, assisted living, or the Lucy Smith King Care Center. We wanted to talk about some things to expect when receiving hospice in your home. This turns your experience with death from the above photo, to this.
Whenever the time comes for you to think about hospice care for yourself of a loved one, St. Anthony’s Hospice wants you to know what to expect. We want all patients to be comfortable in your choice of surrounding, because nothing beats home sweet home.
1. Control in Your Surroundings
When receiving hospice care at home, you get to decide your surroundings. This means your are in a familiar environment and with familiar faces. Unlike being in the hospital, you aren’t annoyed with a (potential) roommate, beeping through all hours of the night, or someone waking you every 15 minutes to get vitals.
Some people may want their beloved pet close to them and snuggling the night away. Some may want to have loved ones around them all the time. Some may want their favorite photos and belongings close by, in case some feelings of nostalgia creep in. Other benefits come from being at home. For example, some religious practices can continue and visitors can come and go, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Whatever the definition of a loving and comfortable home is to you, hospice can help! A nurse is available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. While your nurse may not be in your home 24 hours per day, they are a phone call away and will be there to help. Not only do you have a nurse that comes to your home, you also have an aide, social worker, and chaplain! This care team will help manage symptoms and other stressors to keep you home and comfortable for however long you are under St. Anthony’s care. Read about the interdisciplinary team here.
2. Comfort
A St. Anthony’s Hospice Admissions Nurse visits you while in the hospital. Not only to sign the papers to admit to hospice care, but to evaluate you on the level of care that is appropriate for you. The admissions team also works with your hospital nurse and case manager to get you discharged and home to begin hospice care. Once you arrive home, your nurse will come to the home and get the hospice process started! If you do not need a nurse visit the night you come home, you can let the nurse know and he/she will come out the next day.
In order to get and keep you comfortable, durable medical equipment is delivered to your home. This equipment is covered under your insurance and includes a hospital bed, oxygen, bedside table, bedside toilet, and choice of walker, wheelchair, or transport chair. Other equipment may be covered if deemed necessary from your physician. This equipment is necessary to keep you comfortable and assist caregivers and hospice clinicians in your care.
The goal of hospice care is to keep patients out of the hospital. In order to do so, we provide the patient with everything he/she needs so the St. Anthony’s team of clinicians can conduct the care and services for the patient.
3. Meeting the Team
In the beginning of a hospice admission, you are meeting a lot of people. Your nurse, aide, social worker, and chaplain will all make visits. Normally, a volunteer or two would visit, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers are not entering patient homes. Your care does not stop when your nurse isn’t in the home. You have access to a nurse 24/7. This means if a need arises in the middle of the night, one phone call and a nurse will make a visit to assess the situation and provide necessary care.
Your St. Anthony’s care team will walk you through what their roles are and how they work together to keep you comfortable and preserve your dignity and independence. Check out our previous post on the interdisciplinary team here.
4. When the End is Near
The last bit of a patient’s life can be a scary and overwhelming time for the patient and their family. With St. Anthony’s Hospice, you have support and guidance so you are never alone.
One common fear among people is dying alone. We do everything we can to prevent that. Our home team of clinicians are trained in the signs of death so if the caregiver is out, the patient’s nurse can call and let them know their loved one is close to dying, while staying with the patient.
Once enrolled in hospice care and even through death, your social worker will help ensure your advance directives and funeral plans are in place so your family doesn’t have to wonder how you would have liked your service or how they will pay for everything.
No matter what, St. Anthony’s is there for your and your family. After the patient passes, we offer bereavement services for anyone- not just the primary caregiver. Read more about our bereavement services here.
Remember, no one should face the end of life alone, in pain, or scared of what is to come. St. Anthony’s Hospice is there every step of the way, taking care of comfort and education on the disease and end of life process.
If you or a loved one is in need of hospice or palliative care, it’s never too early to call! Give St. Anthony’s Hospice a call at (270) 826-2326 or make an online referral here.
