One of the biggest worries for family caregivers is that they’ll suggest hospice care options way too soon. Much of the conversation about hospice care has changed in recent years, and this type of care is something that people can actually benefit from much sooner than they expect. What can help is to be aware of the signs that might show your elderly family member is closer to needing end-of-life care options.
Your Senior Doesn’t Want Curative Therapies and Hospice Care can Step in
If your elderly family member is reaching the end of her battle with a terminal illness, you may not want her to give up. But at some point, your elderly family member’s choices for curative therapies may stop working or she may no longer want to use those treatments. When that happens, hospice care can offer her comfort and ensure that she’s getting everything that she needs.
It’s More Difficult to Keep Her Comfortable and Needs a Lot More Help
As your senior’s health continues to decline, it may be more difficult for you to help her to be as comfortable as possible. Managing symptoms and maintaining the quality of life are the biggest goals of hospice care, and there are more options available within hospice to help your aging family member to be comfortable. Hospice providers work with your senior’s doctors to offer her as much choice as possible.
Your elderly family member may also find that she needs more assistance in general than she used to need. If her health is continuing to decline at a rapid rate, she may find that what she can do herself changes from one day to the next. That can be disconcerting for both of you to experience, so having help available makes a huge difference.
She’s Visiting Her Doctor a Lot More
It’s also possible that your senior is suddenly going to her doctor or to the hospital a lot more than she used to. This can be extremely draining for her and may cause her to use up precious energy that she doesn’t have to waste. Hospice care can ensure that your senior is getting the care she needs without having to go anywhere.
Your Senior Is Confused, Less Able to Communicate or their Body Seems to Be Shutting Down
Toward the end of her life, your elderly family member may have more difficulty communicating or she may seem to be confused more easily. These changes can be disconcerting for you both. Hospice offers solutions that can help to comfort your senior during these times and ensure that she has the help that she needs.
As your senior nears the end of her life she will experience symptoms that let her know her body is slowly shutting itself down. She may no longer have an appetite or she may be sleeping a lot more than usual. Hospice care offers your elderly family member the support she needs as she weathers those changes.
Starting the conversation about hospice care can feel complicated or even impossible. But if you’re noticing some of these signs, it might be time to talk with your aging family member and her doctor about what the next step needs to be.
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.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Hospice Care Services in Bel Air MD please contact the caring staff at Vital Sign Home Care today. (410) 814-0258
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.
- How Home Care Can Empower a Senior with Parkinson’s - April 15, 2024
- Ways Home Care Assistance Helps Seniors Who Have Hearing Loss - April 2, 2024
- An Uninjured Veteran May Qualify for Financial Aid for Home Care - March 18, 2024