The most important members of the hospice team are the patient and family. They pick the care plan. Treatments are based on their wishes. And loved ones are usually the main caregivers.
Physical Grief
Grief affects us all in a variety of ways we may not expect. Feeling sad is a normal reaction, but there are often physical side effects that show themselves after a loss. Some of the symptoms are:
- Trouble Sleeping
- Eating Problems
- Headaches
- Etc
These are normal physical reactions to grief. It does not mean you are crazy or have an illness. Physical symptoms should improve as your emotions level out. See your doctor if you are suffering from serious pain or prolonged pain. He or she can find out if this is a symptom of grief or something else.
What you can do:
- Rest. Your body needs rest to bear the physical symptoms of grief. If you can’t sleep, try herbal teas or soft music to help you relax. Avoid taking sleeping pills every night.
- Go easy on yourself. Limit your “To Do” list. It’s okay if you can’t stay focused. Be patient with yourself if you forget things.
- Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water. Healthy living helps both body and mind.
- Cry. Crying helps let the pain out. Tears help relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and promote healing.
- Avoid negative habits. Alcohol and drug abuse, overeating, or other negative habits will only mask grief. This delays the grieving process. It may be even harder to face the pain later. Seek help if you start turning to these types of things to handle your grief.
Withdrawal
Often times people begin to withdraw from friends, family and the world around them as a normal part of the dying process. This process may begin as early as a week before the death. The person may stay in bed all day and spend more time asleep than awake.
With the withdrawal comes less of a need to communicate with others; touch and silence take on more meaning. People at this point may seem unresponsive and difficult to arouse or may appear to be in a coma-like state. This detaching from surroundings and relationships may be preparation for release and letting go.
How to Manage Withdrawal:
- Plan activities and visits for times of day when the person seems most alert.
- Because hearing remains intact to the end, speak to the person in your normal tone of voice.
- Identify yourself by name when you speak. Tell the person what you are going to do before you do it. For example: “Bob, this is Karen. I’m going to clean your mouth now.”
- Remember not to say anything in front of the person that you wouldn’t say if he or she were awake.
Once a Loss Happens
The time after death can be frantic. Often the journey starts with family, visitors, and a plan. The stress combined with the grief can be too much some days.
A the feeling of loss can come at any time after a passing. At times it can seem unreal or you may feel that you are just a passenger in your life as your body brings you from one day to the next. With all the chaos it can be hard to find time to grieve.
Often having a ritual like a funeral, wake, or memorial service can help the grieving process. Some events are small and personal or even completely unique. If there is no ceremony you can even take the time to remember them in a way that you feel is right.
Help With Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning is making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself. These are your decisions to make, regardless of what you choose for your care, and the discussions with your loved ones. If you are in an accident or have an illness that leaves you unable to talk about your wishes, who will speak for you? You can tell your family, friends and healthcare providers Accredited Hospices of America what your wishes and personal beliefs are about continuing or withdrawing medical treatments at the end of life.
Advance care planning includes:
Getting information on the types of life-sustaining treatments that are available.
Deciding what types of treatment you would or would not want should you be diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
Sharing your personal values with your loved ones.
Completing advance directives to put into writing what types of treatment you would or would not want should you be unable to speak for yourself.
Communicating Your End-of-Life Wishes
Decisions about end-of-life care are deeply personal, and are based on your values and beliefs. Because it is impossible to foresee every type of circumstance or illness, it is essential to think in general about what is important to you. Conversations that focus on your wishes and beliefs will relieve loved ones and healthcare providers of the need to guess what you would want.
For more information, visit accreditedhospicesofamerica.com
14511 Old Katy Rd. Suite 394
Houston, Tx 77079
832.408.7999 (Office)
866.708.0821 (Fax)
What is Hospice
Contact:
Jerry Mosbacher
832.410.3192
Accredited Hospices of America is specialized type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their caregivers.
Accredited Hospices of America care addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Accredited Hospices of America care also helps the patient’s family caregivers.
Accredited Hospices of America care takes place in the patient’s home or in a home-like setting.
Accredited Hospices of America care concentrates on managing a patient’s pain and other symptoms so that the patient may live as comfortable as possible and make the most of the time that remains.
Accredited Hospices of America care believes the quality of life to be as important as length of life.
Choosing to elect hospice care is an important decision that can greatly benefit the quality of life for a patient with a life-limiting illness in addition to proving support to a patient’s family during a difficult time.
To help you better understand how hospice care can benefit you or a loved one, we recommend that you review our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) listed below:
Is hospice for those with cancer only?
No, Hospice patients are living with a wide range of diagnoses including heart disease, cancer, dementia, lung disease and others. However, regardless of a patient’s condition or age hospices open their doors and their hearts to all persons diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Hospice is NOT a place.
Hospice services can be provided to a person with limited life expectancy and his/her family, wherever they live. This means a patient living in a nursing facility or long-term care facility and his/her family can receive specialized visits/contacts from physicians, nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers, in addition to other care and services provided by the nursing facility. The hospice and nursing home will have a written agreement in place in order for the hospice to serve residents of the facility.
How does hospice care begin?
Typically, hospice care starts as soon as a formal request or a ‘referral’ is made. Accredited Hospices of America will visit the patient within 48 hours of referral, pending the physician’s approval, providing the visit meets the needs and schedule of the patient and family/primary caregiver. Hospice care begins within a day of two of referral. However, in urgent situations, hospice services may begin sooner. The patient of a family member may “self-refer” and request an evaluation for eligibility for receiving hospice services.
What specific assistance does hospice provide?
Accredited Hospices of America hospice patients and their families are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, aides, spiritual, caregivers, therapist, and volunteers- working together in a team to address the patient’s and family’s identified needs. In addition, hospices help provide medications, supplies, equipment, hospital services, and additional helpers in the home, as appropriate.
How does hospice manage pain?
Accredited Hospices of America’s nurses and physicians are experts in the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, are therapy, diet counseling,and other therapies. Accredited hospices of America believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it addresses these, as well. Counselors, including spiritual caregivers, are available.
Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
Accredited Hospices of America will asses your needs, recommend any necessary equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain it. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the patient’s needs change.
Is hospice covered by insurance?
Hospice coverage is widely available provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid in Texas, and by most private health insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should, of course, check with their employer or health insurance provider.
If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
Medicare covers all services and supplies related to the life-limiting illness for the hospice patient. In some hospices, the patient may be required to pay a 5% “co-payment” on mediation and a 5% co-payment for respite care.
When should a decision about entering a hospice Program be made and who should make it?
At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Because hospice care includes family members and other caregivers, they are also considered an important part of the decision-making process. Sometimes, people have concerns about changing the focus of care from disease-modifying to focus on comfort care and quality of life. Accredited Hospices of America’s staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family and physician.
What is Palliative Care?
If you are not familiar with the term ”palliative” care, it is a medial specialty focused on managing the physical and emotional impact of serious illness. Sometimes people think palliative and hospice care are synonymous. They are not. Some organizations provided both hospice and palliative care. Hospice is a specific branch of palliative care for those with a terminal diagnosis. It is important to know you DO NOT have to forgo curative treatment or have a terminal diagnosis to receive palliative care.
ACCREDITED HOSPICES AWARDED GOLD SEAL
June 12, 2015 Contact:
Debbie Mosbacher 832.408.7999 [email protected]
ACCREDITED HOSPICES OF AMERICA AWARDED GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM THE JOINT COMMISSIONM
HOUSTON, TX, JUNE 12, 2015, Accredited Hospices of America today announced that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospice Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.
Accredited Hospices of America underwent a rigorous on-site survey in June, 2015. During the survey, compliance with hospice care standards reflecting key organization areas was evaluated, including the provision of care, treatment and services, emergency management, human resources, individual rights and responsibilities, and leadership.
Established in 1988, The Joint Commission’s Hospice Accreditation program supports the efforts of its accredited organizations to help deliver safe, high quality care and services. Accreditation by The Joint Commission and the gold seal serve as an indication that the organization has demonstrated compliance to these recognized standards of safe and quality care.”
Accredited Hospices of America is pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Jerry Mosbacher, Administrator, Accredited Hospices of America. “Staff from across our organization continue to work together to straighten the continuum up Care and to deliver and maintain optimal hospice services for those in our community.”
The Joint Commission Hospice standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, home care providers and researchers, as well as industry experts, purchasers and consumers. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, Accesss and improve performance.
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The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders,by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards – setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about the Joint Commission at www.Jointcommission.org.
Accredited Hospice of America in Houston, Texas is a leading provider of hospice care in our goal is to provide the best and most comprehensive hospice care services available. Hospice care is not a standardized service; therefore, Hospice cannot, and you’re not, for Riley same level of care. We are different from other Hospice and the Houston area because of our dedication to excellence and the inclusion of families in our care plans.
