Don’t Wait to Talk about Hospice

It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done and what the patient would have wanted.

Far too many people wait until they are in the midst of a health care crisis before thinking about what options are available or what care they or their loved ones would have wanted.

Often, by waiting too long to learn about possible options, like hospice care, people end up spending difficult days in the hospital or the emergency room, and opportunities to be with loved ones at home are lost.

When a family is coping with a serious illness and a cure is no longer possible, hospice provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of life: comfort and dignity. Hospice means expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support for the whole family.

Most hospice care is provided in the home—where the majority of Americans say they would want to be at this time. But care is also provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospice centers, like Beacon Place.

Many are surprised to learn that hospice care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans and HMOs.

Hospice isn’t about giving up hope. It’s about making the time remaining as meaningful as possible. Hospice providers can help with information about care options, and they will make sure your loved ones receive support as well.

One of the best ways to make sure you and your loved ones benefit fully from hospice, should you ever need this care, is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.

For more information, contact Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro at 336.621.2500.