What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms and attending to the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient at the end of their life. 
Hospice care may be right for you or your loved one when living with a life-limiting illness that has a six-month life expectancy (if the disease runs its normal course).

Why Hospice Care in Coronado?

The end of a patient’s life can be difficult and distressing. Their level of fear and discomfort can be very high, and because of this, a patient may need some emotional and physical support. Hospice care allows patients to pass with their dignity in a happy and healthy environment. With hospice care, the needs of the patient are met. This allows them to focus on living the best life possible until the end and spending time with their friends and family.

For primary caregivers, hospice care can take some of the burden off. While taking care of a loved one is noble, it can also be extremely difficult. A caregiver may not know everything they need to know to take care of a terminally ill patient. It also may wear them down mentally and physically. Hospice care allows caregivers to rest and spend more quality time with their loved one.

Hospice care is custom, and each patient has their own unique needs. Passing on is different for everyone. With that said, there are certain mental, physical, emotional, and often spiritual needs that need to be met for those with life-limiting illnesses. Comfort and Peace treat every patient like an individual and creates unique treatment plans for each patient.

Who is Hospice Care for?

Some patients don’t look into hospice care because they think they aren’t good candidates. Many people have an image in their heads of a cancer patient when they think of hospice. While hospice care may be an option for a terminally ill cancer patient, it is also open to just about anyone with a life-limiting illness. If you are looking to improve your quality of life near the end, or the quality of life of a loved one, you should consider hospice care in Coronado.

During hospice care, the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of patients are met. This provides these patients with a level of peace they may not otherwise get. It’s important to enjoy your entire life—even the end.

In order for a patient to take advantage of hospice care, they need the approval of two physicians. For those with a life-limiting illness, this often isn’t very difficult. Actually, a physician may be the one that recommends hospice care in the first place!

In order for a patient to be considered for hospice care, they will need to be diagnosed with a terminally ill prognosis. The expectation for those in hospice care is that they will pass in around six months. It may be extended, though, if the patient lives beyond those six months.

Some common illnesses that patients suffer from that lead to the need for hospice care include:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Dementia
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Liver disease
  • Renal disease
  • Stroke
  • and others

If you or a loved one gets a terminally ill prognosis, consider Comfort and Peace Hospice. We would be happy to speak with you and see how we can best service you and meet your needs.

What to Expect with Hospice Care

Once a patient decides hospice care is the right option for them, they’ll be met with a few different choices. This can feel daunting. At Comfort and Peace Hospice, we make the process as simple as possible. We are happy to walk you through the levels of care available and get you started with hospice care.

There are a few different types of hospice care that may be available to you or your loved one. These include:

Routine Home Care

Routine home care is the most common form of care. This form of care involves a caregiver visiting the patient at their home and administering services. During this form of care, medical providers, social workers, and volunteers may also provide support. Pain is managed, and the emotional and mental needs of the patient are met. This allows the patient to experience relief from the comfort of their own home.

Continuous Care

Continuous care is for patients that are in the midst of a crisis. During continuous care, a patient will receive extra hours of care (upwards of 24 hours at a time). They may be experiencing respiratory distress, anxiety, and/or extreme pain. During continuous care, these symptoms are addressed (if possible). Once the symptoms have subsided and the patient has been stabilized, they can return to a routine level of care.

General In-Patient Care

General in-patient care is for patients that need a higher level of care for a short period of time. During this time, the patient will reside in a hospice care facility. Their symptoms will be managed during their stay at the facility, and they will be provided with comfort and support.

Once the patient is ready, they can return home and return to routine home care.

Respite Care

Being a primary caregiver is an extremely taxing duty. No matter how much you love the person you are caring for, over time it can wear you down. You also may find that you are falling behind on your life obligations, like work and family. If this is the case, respite care may be the best option to meet your needs.

Respite care is a form of hospice care where a patient visits a facility for a short period of time. During this time, they are well cared for, and all of their needs are met. Respite care allows caregivers to get some much-needed rest and get caught up on all of the things they have fallen behind on.

What to Look for in a Hospice Care Provider in Coronado, California

It’s important to find the right hospice care provider to meet your needs. While every patient is unique, there are some general things you’ll want to take into consideration when picking the right hospice care provider. Below are some of those considerations:

  • A Strong Staff. The staff working at the hospice care facility should be friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Every member of the staff should be great at what they do. Whether it is the receptionist answering the phone or a caregiver, they should be experts at what they do and the services they provide.
  • Frequency. How often a patient needs care is a factor that needs to be taken into consideration. The right hospice care provider can provide you with the frequency of care you need.
  • Transition. The transition phase can be challenging. A good hospice care provider will make this phase as smooth and seamless as possible.
  • Excellent Customer Service. Whether you have a general or more advanced question, the hospice care staff should be able to answer your question politely. Customer service and bedside manner are extremely important.
  • Quick Response Time. If something comes up, it’s good to have a hospice care provider that can jump into action when needed.
  • On-Call Services. Along with a quick response time, the right provider will have on-call services available 24/7. If your loved one or you require an unplanned visit, you’ll want to make sure you have a hospice care provider that is able to provide the necessary care.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy has a variety of proven benefits. Not only is music pleasant to listen to, but it also has a lot of health benefits that are backed up by clinical research. We provide our patients with music therapy to address a variety of issues.

There are a few different symptoms that music therapy can help with. These include:

  • Pain
  • Decrease brain function
  • Respiratory distress
  • Anxiety and Agitation
  • Grief
  • Depression
  • Stress

Music therapy also helps with:

  • Mood enhancement
  • Communication and expression
  • Spiritual support
  • Caregiver and family support
  • Legacy projects
  • Family bonding

Hearing is one of the final senses patients can benefit from. It affects a large portion of our brain. Because of this, it can help to improve our physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing. Reach out to us today with any questions you may have about music therapy.

Hospice Care for Veterans in Coronado

We support the troops and love our veterans! At Comfort and Peace Hospice we respect those that have served their country, and we are dedicated to providing them with the highest quality of life near the end.

Some of the veteran benefits we provide include:

  • Assistance with VA and other military benefits
  • Assessment of military service
  • Honor ceremonies and events
  • Connection with VA services
  • Providing counseling and care that deals with service-related memories or issues
  • Assisting with military funeral and memorial services

How Long Can Someone Stay in Hospice Care in Coronado California?

The length of your hospice care treatment depends on a few different factors. Most patients stay in hospice care for around 6 months or less (depending on the end of their life cycle). With that said, patients can stay in hospice care as long as they still have a terminally ill prognosis.

Medicare and insurance may be a factor when it comes to hospice care. Speak with your insurance care provider or Medicare for more information about what options are available.