For most patients, reaching the end is difficult. With a life-limiting illness comes a lot of stress, physical discomfort, and psychological distress. It’s important for a patient to get the care they need so they can live out their final days in peace and comfort. This includes emotional, physical, psychological, and even spiritual support.

If you are the primary caregiver for a loved one that is reaching the end of their life, you may find the task rewarding, yet challenging. Not only is being a caregiver physically taxing, but it can also get in the way of taking care of work and family obligations. If you are a primary caregiver and you are looking for some additional, professional support, you’ll want to consider hospice care for your loved one. Hospice care helps to ease the burden on a patient’s family, while also providing the patient with the highest level of care.

Comfort and Peace Hospice focuses on providing our patients with everything they need to reach the end with ease and dignity. We also provide families with the opportunity to rest, relax, get caught up on life obligations, and better enjoy the time they have left with their loved ones.

Below is more information about hospice care, who hospice care is for, and what the criteria is for hospice care in California. If you have any additional questions, reach out to Comfort and Peace Hospice. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

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).

Who Is Hospice Care For?

Hospice care is for patients that have life-limiting illnesses that require additional support near the end. While some people believe hospice care is strictly for cancer patients, this isn’t the case. It’s actually for any patient that could use some additional support near the end.

These patients include those suffering from: 

•       Cancer
•       Heart disease
•       Renal disease
•       Liver disease
•       Dementia
•       Pulmonary disease
•       Stroke
•       and other illnesses

What Is the Criteria for Hospice Care in California?

To be approved for hospice care in California, a patient must have an illness that leaves them with around six months or less left to live. If the patient lives beyond this period, they may be able to continue hospice care. A patient needs to be approved for hospice care by two physicians. It’s generally a simple process. Many times, a physician will be the one to recommend hospice care.

Another consideration is insurance. You’ll want to see to what degree your hospice care is covered. If you have Medicare, you’ll want to speak with Medicare about coverage.

If you have any additional questions about the criteria for hospice care in California, reach out to Comfort and Peace Hospice. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you with your approval for hospice care.

Why Hospice Care?

For those reaching the end of their life journey, hospice care is an excellent solution. Hospice care allows patients to enjoy their final days doing what they love and spending time with their loved ones. Patients have their physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs met. This allows them to be at peace until the end. Hospice care is also excellent for the loved ones of patients, as it allows them to rest and get caught up on things they may have fallen behind on.

When it comes to hospice care, each patient has their own unique needs. A professional hospice care provider is able to meet the needs of patients. While primary caregivers do their best to care for their loved ones, they don’t have the training and experience that professional hospice care providers have. By hiring a hospice care provider, you can rest assured that your loved one is taken care of and has all of their needs met.

What to Look for in a Hospice Care Provider in California

There are a few hospice care providers in California to choose between. So, which hospice care provider is right for you? Below are some of the things you should look for when choosing the right hospice care provider in California: 

•   A Strong Staff. Every member of the staff should be experts at what they do. It’s important for a patient to get the care they need in their final days. Before choosing a hospice care provider, check their credentials and how long they’ve been in business. Your loved one deserves the best quality of care possible.
•   Transition. Transitioning to hospice care can be stressful. The right hospice care provider will ensure that the transition phase is as simple and stress-free as possible.
•   Quick Response Time. There are times in which a patient needs additional services. The hospice care provider you choose should have a quick response time.
•   Excellent Customer Service. Whether it is booking services, your loved one receiving care, or anything in between, you deserve the best customer service possible. The end of a loved one’s life is difficult enough as it is. Your hospice care provider should ensure everything goes smoothly and ease the burden of your loved one and you in this time of need.