When it comes to caring for a senior loved one with a chronic illness, it’s natural to want the best for them. But what if you can’t care for them yourself anymore? It may be time to think about hospice care so they can get support from a team of trained caregivers. But who qualifies for hospice?

A potential patient usually qualifies for hospice care when they have a severe illness expected to impact the rest of their life. Hospice care offers a way for older adults to focus on their comfort and quality of life while receiving quality care.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care designed to provide comfort and support to patients with severe illnesses. It’s designed to improve patients’ and their families’ quality of life by addressing their physical, medical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

It’s a way for your loved one to live in a community where they’ll get support from a caring team. The communities have licensed medical staff working on-site who can help take care of your loved one.

Here at Del Corazon Hospice, we have four types of hospice care:

• Routine home care
• Continuous hospice care
• Inpatient hospice care
• Respite care

Routine Home Care

Routine home care is our most common type of care. It occurs within the patient’s home, whether in a private residence or a long-term senior living community.

A team member—or several if needed—may regularly visit according to a customized schedule to meet your loved one’s needs.

During these visits, patients can receive assistance with:

• Pain management
• Symptom control
• Assistance with daily tasks
• Therapy services

Continuous Hospice Care

In our communities, continuous hospice care is for when a patient is in a state of crisis and needs support from a skilled nurse. During this time, our team provides a minimum of 8 hours of skilled nursing support over 24 hours.

This is not a long-term option—instead, it’s designed to offer a short-term solution to critical needs. Every day, the situation is re-evaluated to determine whether or not your loved one requires additional care.

Inpatient Hospice Care

Our inpatient hospice care is designed for those who can no longer get the care they need in their home.

When this happens, we offer a place for them to stay in our community. They can receive support from trained caregivers who can help manage any pain, symptoms, and treatment.

This is a short-term option, usually lasting between 3-5 days.

Respite Care

When caring for a loved one full-time, it’s natural to start getting burnt out. Caregiver burnout is a real thing that can have significant consequences if you don’t focus on your own needs.

When this happens, it’s time to consider respite care. With respite care, you can take a break—up to 5 days if needed—while a professional team supports your loved one. They’ll be temporarily moved to an inpatient care home while you rest, recuperate, and take care of yourself.

How to Tell if a Loved One Qualifies for Hospice

When trying to determine if a loved one would qualify for hospice, it all starts with a proper assessment of their condition. Hospice is for patients experiencing a severe medical condition and needing proper support from a team of trained caregivers.

It can help to keep an eye out for the following signs:

• An increase in pain 
• Difficulty breathing
• Sleep problems
• They’re worried about burdening family

If you notice these or any other symptoms getting worse, hospice may be an ideal choice. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Care Community

When you’re thinking about trying hospice care, it’s important to choose the right community. It’s essential to do your research so your loved one can get the care they need.

It can help to:

• Research and visit potential communities ahead of time: Take the time to visit different communities, and don’t forget to ask questions!
• Consider the location: Make sure you choose an easily accessible location where family members and loved ones can visit regularly.
• Assess the type of care offered: Take a look at the website to learn about the different kinds of offered care.
• Consider word of mouth: Ask your family, friends, and your loved one’s primary medical professional to see if any potential communities nearby offer the care your loved one needs.

Is Hospice Care Right for My Loved One?

When a loved one needs medical support, hospice care might be the way to go. It’s an excellent way to get them the care they need from a team of supportive, loving caregivers. So, if you’re considering trying hospice care for a loved one, contact us at Del Corazon Hospice! We’re here for you and your family.