What do you feel when you hear the word “hospice”? Probably sadness, fear, and a lot of other emotions. It’s definitely not an easy topic to talk about, but it’s an important one — especially when it comes to planning your future (or the future of your loved ones).
Let’s work through these tough topics together. My goal is for you to come away from this blog with the information you need to make informed decisions (with peace of mind!)
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a valuable source of resources and information in a new and emotional situation. It’s most commonly defined as a type of care designed to support individuals in the final stages of a terminal illness. There is one very important thing I want you to know, however — hospice is not about giving up on life. In fact, it’s actually about prioritizing comfort, dignity, and quality of life with the time you or your loved ones have left. Hospice is there to make sure you and your family aren’t alone during this chapter — they help with physical, emotional, and even spiritual support.
Hospice isn’t a location; it’s better known as a compassionate approach to care. It can be provided in your own home, at a hospice center, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. The goal is to make this time as comfortable as possible by focusing on symptom management, pain relief, and providing emotional and spiritual support.
How Do You Know When it’s Time for Hospice?
Knowing when it’s time to think about hospice can be one of the hardest decisions you or your loved ones will face. Usually, a doctor will suggest hospice when they believe that a patient has 6 months or less to live (but every situation is unique).
The discussion typically starts when life-prolonging treatments are no longer working, or when their burdens outweigh the benefits. It’s important for you to understand however, that hospice doesn’t hasten death — it’s a way to provide comfort and dignity. Especially when the focus shifts from trying to cure the illness to enhancing the quality of life.
You or your family can choose hospice care whenever you’re ready. It’s a personal decision and it’s okay to take the time to figure out what’s right for you. Also, your medical team will help guide you, but ultimately, you’re in control of when and how hospice care begins.
What Can Hospice Provide for You?
Hospice care goes way beyond just managing pain – it offers more of a holistic approach to care that focuses on your comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being. Here’s what hospice can do for you or your loved ones:
Pain and Symptom Management:
Hospice teams are experts at managing symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and anxiety. In fact, their goal is to alleviate suffering and improve your comfort, so you can focus on spending quality time with your loved ones.
Emotional and Spiritual Support:
There’s no way around it — facing the end of life is a difficult journey. Hospice care acknowledges the significance of emotional and spiritual well-being. Hospice teams often include counselors, social workers, and chaplains who can help you and your family work through difficult emotions, process fears, and find peace during this challenging time.
Family Support:
Hospice isn’t just for the person who is sick — it’s also for you and your family. Family members receive support and guidance to help them navigate their own emotions, handle practical caregiving tasks, and prepare for what lies ahead. Hospice staff can provide respite care, which will really help you out by giving you breaks when you need them most.
24/7 Access to Care:
One thing that’s important to know is that when you or a loved one is in hospice, you’re never alone. Hospice care offers 24/7 access to support, so if you’re experiencing a crisis, discomfort, or just need to talk, someone is always available to help.
Holistic Therapies:
Services such as music therapy, massage therapy, and pet therapy are typically offered in hospice programs. These therapies can help reduce stress and bring comfort in ways beyond traditional medicine.
Debunking Common Myths About Hospice
There are many misconceptions about hospice care, and it’s important for you to be aware and separate the myths from the facts. Understanding what hospice is, (and what it isn’t) should relieve some of the fears you may have.
Myth: Hospice is only for the last few days of life.
Fact: Hospice care can be provided for several months. The earlier you begin hospice, the more time you have to receive care that focuses on your comfort and well being.
Myth: Hospice means “giving up.”
Fact: Hospice isn’t about giving up. It’s about choosing to focus on comfort and quality of life when treatments are no longer effective. It’s about empowering you to live your life as fully as possible.
Myth: You can’t keep your regular doctor in hospice care.
Fact: Hospice care is a team effort. You can keep your regular doctor involved while also benefiting from the specialized knowledge and care of the hospice team.
Myth: Only people with cancer can receive hospice care.
Fact: Hospice care is available for anyone who has a terminal illness, not just cancer patients. Other conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, dementia, and kidney failure also qualify for hospice services.
How to Begin Hospice Care
If you feel that hospice care may be the right choice for you or your loved one, having a conversation with your doctor is the first step. Your doctor will help you understand whether hospice is an appropriate option, and they can make a referral to a hospice provider.
Once hospice care begins, a personalized care plan tailored to your needs and wishes will be created by your team. You’re in control of the process — you decide where you want to receive care, what services are most important to you, and how involved you want your family to be.
What to Expect During Hospice Care
Hospice care is all about honoring your wishes and making sure you’re as comfortable as possible. Your hospice team of nurses, doctors, social workers, and spiritual counselors will regularly visit you. They’ll check in with you, adjust your care plan as needed, and provide any support you or your family may need.
One surprising effect of hospice care is that the discontinuing of some medications can bring about an improvement in the quality of life. Those side effects add up and when they outweigh the benefits, stopping the medication can bring its own kind of relief such as a return of mental clarity or appetite.
Throughout this process, you can expect compassionate care that respects your dignity, values, and personal choices. Hospice is about helping you live your final days with as much comfort, peace, and meaning as possible.
Planning for You and Your Loved One’s Future
All of this talk about hospice and end-of-life care can make you feel overwhelmed. But when you take control of planning for the future, it can bring you peace of mind. And, when you make these decisions ahead of time, you’ll guarantee that your wishes are respected and that your loved ones won’t have to make these difficult choices. Especially if your loved ones aren’t aware of what you wanted.
At the same time, you don’t have to face these decisions alone. Your hospice team, doctors, and family will be there to support you every step of the way.
Schroeder Larsen Law is Here For You!
As you can see, hospice is about so much more than just the end of life — it’s about helping you live your final days with comfort, dignity, and love. But if the thought of navigating all of these decisions on your own makes you stressed out, don’t worry — I’m on your side and here to help.
At Schroeder Larsen Law, we understand how emotional and complex these moments can be. We’re here to guide you through the legal aspects of estate planning, healthcare directives, and other crucial documents that ensure your wishes are honored. My approach is compassionate and personalized to help you create a plan that gives you peace of mind — so you can focus on what matters most.
Let Schroeder Larsen Law be your trusted partner in securing your legacy and making sure your care is exactly how you envision it!