Madeline Schwartz“My uncle’s illness is at the last stages. How can I take care of him?
July 9th 2007 13:46
“My uncle’s illness is at the last stages. How can I take care of him?"
In 1994, my uncle received terrible news, pancreatic cancer. My family was devastated because very choice was hopeless. His’ lifespan was six months the most and it was how exactly happen. As time approach, his situation got worse and my aunt needed help.
Hospice care played a vital role when a loved one’s illness no longer responds to life-prolonging treatment, such as chemotherapy or dialysis. Making a decision of continue treatment may prolong a patient’s life; however, it can also increase suffering and discomfort. It can be useful for a caregiver to be aware of a patient’s medical needs and options during this stage of the patient’s illness. In our case, we decided to stop and make him comfortable.
The goal of hospice care is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible while offering the best palliative care.* From coordinating a patient’s treatment to providing caregivers with respite resources, hospice touches all parts of a patient’s life. Hospice can assist a family in coping with their impending loss and will continue to support them through their grief after the death of their loved one.
Because the challenge begins when a seriously ill patient and their families realize that the patient is no longer getting better nor benefiting from treatments. This is the time when hospice care can be considered. Hospice offers 24-hour access to a healthcare professional over the telephone. It can be offered at home, in a skilled nursing facility, or at an inpatient hospice unit. Hospice services are provided by Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurers. If you are unsure if your loved one qualifies for hospice, speak to his/her health care professional. To determine if the patient’s insurance covers hospice, you can call the insurance company directly. If insurance does not cover hospice, ask the hospice staff about other potential sources of financial assistance.
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