End-of-life care is a multifaceted and complex process with different purposes and goals. It can help individuals with their physical, social, spiritual, and psychological needs in their last days and weeks.
End-of-life care is how we take care of a terminally ill person as they near the end of their life. As the patient’s condition worsens, they need more and more advanced care. We will talk about how to find this help and what to do when you require it.
What is End of Life Care?
End-of-life care encompasses many different types of services such as hospice, palliative, or home health. Each type has its own priorities and procedures. It’s essential to understand what your needs are before seeking help from an end-of-life care provider.
What is the Goal?
End-of-life care aims to provide support, comfort, and dignity to an individual in the final stages of life.
The whole point is to give people a chance to have a meaningful death. End-of-life care provides families with the tools they need to have this conversation that will otherwise be difficult or scary for them.
How to Determine an Individual’s Needs
The doctor will determine end-of-life care needs, whether a primary care doctor, specialist, or palliative care physician. Also, the doctor may decide that it’s time for hospice care, similar to palliative care but focused on pain relief rather than cure. The doctor may also suggest home hospice care, which aims at providing paid help for patients and their loved ones.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Palliative care is the most appropriate care for patients who are coping with severe and prolonged illness. This is because it can help relieve symptoms like pain, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. By focusing on treating symptoms rather than curing or prolonging life, palliative care may also improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
On the other hand, hospice care is a less aggressive approach to caring for terminal illnesses. The primary goal of hospice care is to provide comfort in the last stage of life by providing services that allow patients to live comfortably until they pass away.
This includes activities such as family support groups, counseling services, social workers, and spiritual services. Hospice providers like Hospice of Northern Virginia may also provide services that include physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and medical services like pain management.
How to Find Help
End-of-life care services can be obtained through a referral from a doctor. Once an order is obtained, you can request specific agencies to provide care, if available. After the agency is contacted, they will evaluate the individual to determine appropriate end-of-life care services.
