Believe it or not, a senior can age in place and still be placed in hospice care. Many workers will go to a senior home to help them move on comfortably in their own homes, and volunteers may even come to spend time with their loved ones so they are not alone.
When you hear the term hospice care, it just means that your senior has an illness that cannot be cured or is closer to the end of life. When someone is placed in hospice, they are close to the end of life, and they may need more help from you, home care, volunteers, and anyone working in the hospice field. It’s not always easy to care for a loved one who is passing on to the other side, but it is important to discuss it in advance.
Here are some tips when caring for your elderly mom or dad in hospice.
Ask for More Help
Often, if you do not have home care, you can ask the hospice care company for someone to come and care for your parents. This is not an easy thing to do, and getting more help may be necessary to ensure you maintain your mental health; after all, you’re losing a parent, but also home care can help your senior loved one do the day-to-day things. You will be offering all of your support, but you may need to rely on someone else during this time too, and that is okay. Hospice care can be excellent for the whole family. Before hiring anyone, make sure they have experience with hospice patients.
Offer Physical Touch
This is the time to hold your loved one’s hands as much as possible and give them hugs and physical comfort. You may not have thought about it, but a calm touch can leave someone in such a positive mood. They may feel comforted by your touch, and it may be one of the last times you can feel the comfort they give you as well. Always ensure that a senior is comfortable with this touch.
Allow Them to Talk to You
They may be experiencing fear and anxiety during this time, and you must listen to them and offer them a safe space to vent. You can provide emotional support by listening to them. You may not be able to do much during this time, but just being someone safe to talk to can have a huge impact on how a senior feels. Everyone handles death differently, and sometimes it is not always easy to see the end coming. Death looks different for everyone.
Be Practical About Things
It can be easy to get caught up in the fact that when a person is placed in hospice, it means the end is coming. But that doesn’t mean it’s here, and they are still alive for now. You should offer them help with the practical tasks. They still need to eat regular food as much as possible; they need to shower and bathe, brush their teeth, and more. They are still human, still alive, and have practical needs you can help with. It may seem silly to focus on these things, but it will help them feel alive and respectable when the time comes. Don’t overlook the practical needs of a senior just because they are in hospice care.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Hospice Care Services in Arnold MD please get in touch with the caring staff at Vital Sign Home Care today. (410) 814-0258
A Trusted Skilled Medical and Non-Medical senior home care provider in Annapolis, Arnold, Severn, Guilford, Towson, Brooklandville, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Bel Air, Ellicott City, Columbia MD, and surrounding areas.
Venus had a stroke in 2018, she had no movement on the right side of her body and was unable to speak. Venus has made great progress since then and shows up everyday doing her best. She takes pride in overcoming obstacles and never giving up, which has allowed her to obtain a level of success in healthcare.
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