What is Hospice Care in Oceanside?

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?

For those reaching the end of their life, it can be a very distressing time. They may be experiencing fear and discomfort—both mental and physical. Hospice care helps to provide peace during this difficult time and provide a silver lining around what may otherwise be a grim time. Everyone deserves to die with dignity and peace. Hospice care helps with this.

For the loved ones of a patient, hospice care can be an excellent resource for additional support. Being a primary caregiver is an extremely daunting task. Hospice care offloads some of the burdens, even if only for a short period of time. This allows the primary caregiver to relax and take care of their obligations.

There is both at-home and in-patient hospice care available, and which form of hospice care is right for the patient depends on their specific needs. For a higher level of care, in-patient may be required. This is generally a short-term solution. Once a patient is able to, they can return to at-home care.

Hospice care is custom, as each patient has their own needs. Passing away is a different experience for everyone. That’s why Comfort and Peace Hospice in Oceanside focuses on the mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing of each of our patients. We treat every patient as an individual and provide them with the care they specifically need. Our care providers also specialize in end of life care, which means they have a different skillset than a short-term hospital care provider.

The right hospice care provider will be willing to do whatever they can to ensure the comfort of their patient. Comfort and Peace Hospice promises to take care of your loved one or you through this difficult time. We want to make sure your loved one or you find peace and go with the dignity you deserve.

Who is Hospice Care for?

A lot of people think of cancer when they think of hospice care, but it is actually available for patients with a variety of different illnesses. Anyone that needs support at the end of their life may potentially be a candidate for hospice care. If you are looking to improve the quality of life for a loved one or yourself during the end of life phase, hospice care may be a good choice.

During hospice care, patients are provided with the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care they need to pass on in peace. The right hospice care providers understand the variances that come with different illnesses, and they are able to meet the needs of patients that suffer from any illness.

In order to be approved for hospice care, two physicians will need to certify that you are a good candidate. Oftentimes, a physician will let the patient know that they are a good candidate and will recommend hospice care. If you feel your loved one or you are a good candidate, though, you can ask a physician to see if they are able to approve you.

A patient that is a good candidate for hospice care is someone that has a terminal prognosis in which they have around 6 months to live. If the patient lives beyond 6 months, they still may be a good candidate if the illness is still terminal.

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 your loved one or you have a terminal prognosis, speak with your doctor about hospice care. You’ll also need to speak with your insurance provider or Medicare to see if hospice care is available. Otherwise, payments may need to be made out of pocket.

What to Expect with Hospice Care in Oceanside

The process of preparing for hospice care may seem daunting, but it actually isn’t as difficult as it may initially seem. This is especially so if you decide to go with Comfort and Peace Hospice. We make sure every step of the process is simple and straightforward so our patients can focus on their comfort and happiness.

Below are the different types of hospice care that may be available to your loved one or you:

Routine Home Care

Routine home care is very common, and it involves a patient receiving hospice care from the comfort of their own home. During this form of care, medical professionals, social workers, and volunteers will visit the patient at their residence. During this time, their pain will be managed, they will receive mental and emotional relief, and they will even receive the spiritual relief they need. With routine home care, a patient is able to enjoy their last days in the comfort of their own home.

Continuous Care

If a patient is going through a crisis, continuous care may be a good option. This level of care is for patients that require several hours a day of care (upwards of 24 hours). This type of care is for patients that are suffering from anxiety, respiratory distress, and/or extreme pain. If the core issue can be addressed, it will be during this time. Otherwise, the symptoms will be handled until the patient is stabilized.

General In-Patient Care

General in-patient care is an option designed for patients that need additional support for a short period. During the in-patient care process, a patient resides at a hospice care facility while they go through a difficult time. During this time their symptoms will be managed to improve their comfort and safety.

Once the patient is stabilized, they can return home and continue routine at-home care.

Respite Care

Being a primary caregiver is a rewarding, yet difficult task. Because of this, many caregivers get burnt out over time and need a break. Respite care allows caregivers to take some much-deserved time off. During respite care, a patient stays at a hospice facility where they receive excellent treatment. The caregiver can use this time to get caught up on their home and work obligations or to simply relax and take some time off.

Once the caregiver has rested up and is ready to resume their duties, the patient can be transitioned back to home care.

What to Look for in a Hospice Care Provider

There are a lot of hospice care providers out there, so you’ll want to make sure you research any facilities you are considering. Here are some of the things to consider when choosing the right hospice care provider:

  • Frequency. The needs of each patient differ. Because of this, each patient requires a different level of frequency. Your hospice care provider should be able to meet with your loved one or you as frequently as required.
  • Excellent Customer Service. Customer service is extremely important. The end of life journey is stressful enough as it is. The right hospice will provide excellent customer service from a staff that really cares.
  • Transition. Transitioning can be a difficult phase, but the right hospice care provider will make it much easier.
  • Quick Response Time. It’s important for a hospice care provider to be able to respond quickly if anything happens to a patient. Keep this in mind when selecting the right hospice care in Oceanside.
  • On-Call Services. The right hospice care provider in Oceanside will be available on-call, 24/7. If an unplanned visit is needed, your provider should be ready to send someone to help.
  • A Strong Staff. From the receptionist to the care provider and everyone in-between, the staff at Comfort and Peace Hospice are top-notch. All of our team members are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We are here to answer any questions and provide the highest level of support for our patients.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is not only a lot of fun, but it is also backed up by clinical research. Hearing is one of the last senses that benefit and register with a patient. This is especially so when it comes to music. That is why Comfort and Peace Hospice in Oceanside provides music therapy to our patients.

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

Music has a large impact on our brains. It is multi-sensory, and not only involves our ears, but also our eyes and skin. Music has a major impact on our physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing. This makes music therapy a great choice.

Hospice Care for Veterans

We love veterans at Comfort and Peace Hospice in Oceanside. We admire and respect their service, and it is our mission to provide them with the quality of life they deserve at the end of their life cycle. 

Some of the services we provide for veterans 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

Comfort and Peace Hospice is dedicated to honoring veterans by providing them with the highest level of care possible. We thank you for your service!

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

The duration of stay at a hospice facility depends on a few different factors. One factor that needs to be considered is insurance coverage/Medicare. Another factor is the length of life left for the patient. Generally, hospice care is available to patients with around 6 months left to live, but it may be extended.