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Carrolltown Hospice Care Services That One May Consider

By Gannon G. Hollick


The diagnosis of a terminal illness is, in most cases, very shocking to many patients and their relatives. Many equate such a diagnosis to death and begin to despair. While the primary disease may be incurable, there are associated symptoms that can be managed. If you are living in carrolltown hospice care services may ease the burden of having to take care of the increasingly dependent relative and as well as make sure that they get the best medical care available.

One of things that the facility does is to continue with palliative treatment that includes the control of pain and other related symptoms. Any side effects that may result from the administration of medication are managed as well. This ensures that your loved one remains comfortable and in control of their life. They need to be in a position to make important decisions regarding their family and property as is often required.

There are several options that you can consider once you make up your mind to enroll a loved one into a hospice. One of the types is one in which most of the care is provided at home. The second type is where the patient is admitted indefinitely to a facility as an inpatient. Most people choose a combination of the two so that the patient spends most of the time at home and is only admitted in case of complications.

Another benefit of a hospice is that it provides spiritual care. As their life slowly grows to an end, patients with terminal illnesses tend to have an increased need for spiritual nourishment. A hospice will arrange to have a spiritual leader, literature and fellowship with other faithful. It has been observed that with this kind of spiritual care, the overall health of the patient improves markedly.

Family meetings are usually scheduled regularly by the hospice. The meetings are typically led by the primary care giver (either the nurse or the doctor). The caregiver updates the family members on the progress that has been made and informs them on ways in which treatment can be optimized. Family members also get an opportunity to engage with the patient and to provide encouragement.

The treatment of cancer requires multidisciplinary input due to its complexity. The multidisciplinary team usually includes, among others, the nurse, the doctor, pharmacists and the clergy. Ordinarily, it is quite difficult to have all the required specialists available for the patient. The hospice makes it easier for them to make coordinated visits and to consult with each other on the best way on how to manage a particular patient.

Respite care can be provided by a hospice when needed. What this means is that for a period of time (usually a couple of days), the duty of taking care of the patient is taken up entirely by the hospice team and the family gets time off. This allows them to travel for a vacation or special event.

We have to accept that we will lose our loved ones at some point and we should prepare for the same. Hospices ensure that both the patient and the family are well prepared for this eventuality and stand by the bereaved during their time of mourning. Support may come in the form of phone calls, professional counseling or enrollment into support groups.




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