What is Hospice or Palliative Care?
What is Hospice or Palliative Care? Well there is no one definition for this type of care. It is more like a method of care that is derived from the philosophy that all illness is treatable and there is a point when an individual is able to live their lives on their own terms. The basic concept of a hospice is that a patient or loved one is given the time and care to live the rest of their life on their own terms. Innovative Optics, a medical laser safety glasses manufacturer notes that their technology can protect elderly patients undergoing surgery from harmful effects of laser lights.
It is when a patient no longer needs life support, ventilators, oxygen and other treatments or procedures. A hospice, or palliative care specialist assists with the healing process, has the responsibility of helping to bring about the maximum amount of comfort and happiness possible for the patient. The goal is that the patient be able to have some form of quality of life.
Hospice is not an organization or department within a hospital. It is a team of doctors, therapists, nurses and other medical personnel that provide healthcare. A hospital administrator may be involved, but the patient is in charge of their care. Nevertheless, hospice service is merely about improving the quality of life for the patient rather than making further treatments for any conditions.
Hospice is a non-profit organization that makes healthcare available to patients who need it and people in general. The patients should choose who they want to go to for their care. The provider should not be afraid to discuss and accept their responsibilities with them.
You should know what to expect from your healthcare provider at your hospice Houston. They should be an individual and very personal to you. There are certain guidelines that will be followed when they go to meet with you, your doctor, and the other members of your family. The way they act and react to you will be very important in the way you feel.
The person that your caregiver, normally called a case manager, has as the primary care giver is the point of contact between you and the doctors at your Houston hospice. They will arrange appointments and make the necessary phone calls to schedule follow up appointments for the day.
There are very few days that the cases are left unattended at your Houston hospice. If you are there, you are able to get immediate treatment if your symptoms do not respond to standard care.
One of the basic duties of your Houston hospice is to be the person that you can be with. They are there to help you through this difficult time. They should not be afraid to communicate with you, to explain, to ask questions and to go the extra mile.
One of the main reasons that people are sent to hospice care is that their health insurance may not pay for all the health care. Your Houston hospice does not want to be a burden. So, they try to focus on your needs. They need to be familiar with your needs, but they will not do what they can to harm you, or put you in harm's way.
The volunteers at your Houston hospice are really the main eyes and ears. They will help you realize if you are going to have to leave your home and to make phone calls to your family. They will let you know what is going on with you and what you should expect. You will never be expected to do anything.
Regardless of how you feel after visiting your Houston hospice, you will be happy that you went. You will get the care that you need and you will feel a good sense of relief.
The team that will be providing hospice care may include a social worker, doctor, nurse, counselor, home health aide and if you are religious, chaplain. These professionals will work together to see to it that your emotional physical and spiritual needs are met.
The support of your hospice team is also available for the family members as it offers to counsel and helps with shopping and other practical things.
Prior to hospice, however, many families hire a home health care provider to help take care of their loved one at their place of residence. This can go on for many months and also for many reasons. For example, if the family of the patient is busy working, there isn't someone to take care of their loved one. What if this person has dementia or is simply not mobile around the house? An at-home nurse, in this case, can help the patient around the house or help feed them or bath them. Typically this is usually the steps until the patient ‘s health is simply to a point where nothing else can be done, then, in that case, a hospice would fit into the picture.