According to a study completed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), individuals with dementia accounted for the third-highest amount of all patients who received hospice care. Hospice care can be a valuable option for individuals with dementia who are approaching the end of their lives. Since hospice care is designed to provide comfort and support to those who are terminally ill, it can also be provided in a memory care community or nursing home.
Hospice care in a memory care community can allow your loved one with dementia to receive specialized care in a familiar and comfortable setting. Below are some of the values of hospice in Cornelius, NC memory care communities your loved ones with dementia get to enjoy.
Specialized Care in A Familiar and Comfortable Setting
The primary goal of hospice care for dementia is to provide a higher quality of life for the patient. While memory care communities are designed with amenities to specifically care for individuals with cognitive impairments, and hospice care providers are trained in caring for those with terminal illnesses, it is so important for families to understand that hospice care doesn’t mean they are giving up on their loved one with dementia, instead, it is the recognition that there is a time when a cure is no longer possible and it is time to maximize the quality of life for their loved one. Having hospice care in place in memory care communities then provide your loved one with the best possible care in a setting that is familiar and comfortable.
Relief for Family Caregivers
Another value of hospice care in a memory care community is that it can help to alleviate some of the burdens on family caregivers. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be physically and emotionally draining, and hospice care can provide some much-needed respite for caregivers. Hospice care providers can take over some of the caregiving tasks, such as administering medications and providing personal care, allowing caregivers to take a break and recharge.
Peace and Comfort
Hospice care in a memory care community can also provide a sense of peace and comfort for both individual with dementia and their family. The end of life can be a difficult and emotional time, and hospice care can help to ease the transition for everyone involved. Hospice care providers are trained in providing emotional support and can help to facilitate meaningful conversations and provide comfort to your loved one and the entire family.
Support for End-Of-Life Decisions
Since hospice care is targeted toward patients with a definite life expectancy. Hospice care providers can help families navigate the process of making end-of-life decisions and ensure that the individual’s wishes are respected.
Coordination of Care
Hospice care providers can coordinate the care provided by other healthcare professionals, ensuring that all of the individual’s needs are met.
Pain and Symptom Management
Hospice care providers are trained in managing pain and other symptoms that may arise as the individual approaches the end of their life.
Bereavement Support
According to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, families of those with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease who are living in long-term care communities rarely receive grief or bereavement support if they do not consider hospice care for their loved one. Hospice care providers can provide support to families during the grieving process, both during and after the individual’s passing.
