More Than Meets the Eye, True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife covers many aspects of the dying and grieving process and sheds light on euthanasia, suicide, near-death experience, and spirit visits after the passing of a loved one. ___________________________________________

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hospice Services: Providing Peace of Mind

By Archie Taylor

Death is an inevitable part of life. Even if everyone knows it will happen eventually, no amount of preparation can ease grief when it's time to say goodbye. How will you let your ailing relatives spend their last days? Most people turn to hospice care services. If you are considering admitting a loved one to a good hospice facility, here are some useful information you need to know.

All about Hospice Care

Hospice care is a service handling "end-of-life" cases. Families who want to admit their loved one to a stay-in hospice must have the certification of the doctor that the patient has a few months left to live. There is no set rule, but the standard timeline most facilities acknowledge is six months.
Hospice services may be administered at home, in a nursing home, or other facilities- depending on the preference of the patients or their families. A team consisting of physicians, social workers, nurses, and assistants is responsible for giving the best care to the patient.

Families can now get their much needed break when their loved one is admitted in a hospice facility. Plus, they can have peace of mind because they know skilled professionals will take care of their loved ones. Certified nurses and attendants will take over simple and complex responsibilities of daily care, such as bathing, administering medication, and assisting in pain management. Hospice services are available 24 hours a day and provide immediate response in the event of a patient emergency. The staff in a hospice may set up the medical equipment in the patient's room for those getting in-home services.

One advantage of admitting a relative in a hospice is it makes sure patients live comfortably and with dignity during their final days. Hospices guarantee quality comfort and medical care not only to the patients but to their families as well. They even have programs that have special supportive services for the patients by addressing their physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs.

Who can get hospice services?

You can find many stay-in hospices for patients whose pain management needs can't be addressed at home. There are also facilities offering this service to those who are adjusting from the hospital to the hospice at home.

Hospice Facilities and Amenities

To provide comfort and guarantee the well-being of the patient, most hospices feature private rooms and amenities such as outdoor terraces and kitchens. These give patients privacy and a relaxed environment. You can find hospices at convenient central locations. This is so their families may easily visit them anytime.

Part of hospice care includes a counseling team that will support family and friends during emotional and spiritual crisis. The team provides individual counseling and assists caregivers and patients on stress management. They help patients and families deal with their grief and prepare them for the passing of their loved one. Here are some other hospice services the counseling team provides:

- Have meaningful discussions that resolve issues between patients and their families
- Serve as an outlet for family member to express grief and share bereavement issues
- Educate friends and family members about end-of-life issues
- Provide special counseling for the patients' children
- Check up on the family one year after the patient's death and provide counseling if needed

Archie Taylor works for a hospice care facility and familiar with different hospice services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Archie_Taylor
 
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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