Discussing the impending end of a loved one’s life is one of the most difficult things many of us will go through in our lives. As painful as these conversations can seem, they are immensely important to have so that you and your loved one can understand what kind of end-of-life care they wish to receive. Quality of life is still important, even for someone nearing the end of their life. To help prepare you for these difficult times, we have a few tips for developing an end-of-life hospice care plan that should make things easier.
Understand Palliative vs. Hospice Care
The first thing you need to understand is the difference between hospice and palliative care. Palliative care is available to anyone with a serious illness, whether that person is dying from said illness or simply living with it. Palliative care addresses the symptoms of a disease, and one can get it while also receiving actual curative care. Hospice care, on the other hand, provides care for those with a prognosis of six months or less who aren’t undergoing active curative care. Knowing the difference between these types of care will help you understand what your loved one needs and qualifies for.
Speak With Loved Ones About Their Desires
Perhaps the most important tip for developing an end-of-life care plan is to speak with your loved one about what they want for their end-of-life care. If they can rationalize without assistance, you should respect their wishes about the kind of care they wish to receive. Remember, it’s all about maintaining a certain quality of life. If your loved one feels like their life would be lesser because of a certain type of care, it’s important to respect their decision, even if you disagree.
Know What They Would Be Willing To Tolerate
Depending on the reason for the end-of-life care, your loved one could need certain medical procedures to sustain them for a while longer. Unfortunately, not all these procedures are pleasant, and some can significantly lower a person’s quality of life. Talking with your loved one about what medical interventions they would be okay dealing with is crucial. Your loved one may not want to undergo some treatments, such as intubation or advanced life support, and you need to know as early as possible so that you can respect their wishes.
Look for Supportive Medical Staff
The medical staff for your loved one’s end-of-life care will be around for a while and will have a direct impact on their quality of life. Finding the right medical staff can be difficult, but it’s good to vet as many different services as possible. Trust your instincts when it comes to who you trust to take care of your loved one.
