Is it time for hospice?

Choosing hospice care for yourself or  your loved one can be a daunting and emotional decision. For many residents, their focus is on staying out of hospice care until their last few weeks or days of life, when in reality, hospice care can be greatly beneficial to patients and their families many months before this. Here is some advice from experienced caregivers at our hospice in Cape May County on knowing the right time to move into end-of-life care.

A good rule to follow is that hospice is most beneficial to patients and their loved ones in the last six months of life. Once treatment options are exhausted, care turns from defeating medical conditions to ensuring holistic comfort, compassionate assistance and the best possible quality of life. In order to qualify for this care, physicians must agree that no further medical treatment can assistresident and that the resident has a prognosis of six months or less. They can then recommend hospice care and the resident can move in to an end-of-life care facility.

Other indications that show hospice care is needed include residents suffering from life-limiting illnesses, progressive weight loss, increased or uncontrolled pain, decline in ability to perform daily tasks, frequent infections and hospitalizations, increased weakness, withdrawal and poor nutritional status.

While hospice care can seem like a difficult decision, it is important to remember that the focus is on making you or your loved one as comfortable as possible and delivering the highest quality of care during this time..

Compassionate hospice care in Cape May County, NJ 

United Methodist Communities at The Shores, a senior and assisted living facility, offers superior end-of-life care through our hospice, Bridges. With an emphasis on creating a nurturing and comforting environment, we offer 24-hour nursing, personalized care plans, well-appointed private apartments and luxury linens, as well as family and spiritual support..

To find out more about Bridges,  or our assisted living community, please contact us today and arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/is-it-time-for-hospice/

5 things to consider when looking for hospice care

Hospice focuses on end-of-life care and many of us will have to consider it someday for parents, loved ones or ourselves. Finding the right provider is about choosing services that are appropriate for the patient’s needs, desires and budget. Here are some useful tips for making this important decision.

1. Testimonials: Find out what people are saying about the hospice service providers you are considering – speak to local hospitals and doctors as well as families about their experiences.
2. State licenses and accreditations: Each state has different licensing requirements for healthcare facilities to ensure that they are up to standard. Additional accreditations are not necessary, but they are considered a good indicator  of quality services.
3. Services: It’s important to know exactly what services will be provided and how your loved one will be cared for. While some hospice facilities offer more limited services and staff per patient, others provide a team of specialists to deliver holistic treatment, companionship and support to patients as well as their families.
4. Staff: Ask about staff training and experience, as well as how the staff is expected to interact with the patient throughout the day. Will there be someone on duty 24-hours a day? What happens in the event of an emergency? Will they be able to assist you in the provision of  any additional care to your loved one?
5. Your impressions: If you want proper peace-of-mind, the best course is to visit the different facilities in person. This gives you a chance to get a good feel for the facility, their services and their staff. Scheduling a visit will ensure that you can properly tour the area, meet staff, ask any questions and evaluate their level of care.

Compassionate, personalized hospice care in South Jersey 

The Shores, a United Methodist Communities campus servicing Cape May County, offers full-service hospice care as part of our our assisted living community. Known as Bridges, our hospice neighborhood  provides high quality end-of-life care in  a comforting and caring environment.

Run by an experienced and nurturing team ofassociates, we offer advanced therapies, emotional support and care within a customized personal care program.

For more information on United Methodist Communities at The Shores please contact us today and visit us for a personal tour

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/5-things-consider-looking-hospice-care/.

The importance of compassionate hospice care

Hospice care is designed to ensure the dignity and comfort of  people at the end of their lives. It’s not just limited to medical and physical care – it’s about giving as much compassionate support to them, their families and loved ones as possible.

When is hospice care needed? 

This level of care applies only when a person has been medically certified to have six months or less to live. Requests for hospice care are assessed by doctors, who will then recommend that hospice care is necessary.

Who is part of the hospice care team? 

A team of professionals work together to ensure that every need for care, comfort and support are met. This team includes a social worker and/or chaplain, as well as a nurse, nursing aid and other specialists who can assist with medical, spiritual, emotional and other needs. They are also  assist the families by providing compassionate support and assisting with any special details and tasks that are requested

How does the hospice medical team care for the patient? 

The medical side of hospice care focuses on keeping your loved one comfortable and pain-free, often a concern for  people with serious terminal illnesses. The team monitors their comfort  and implements a program that will work best for each one, which may include medication, therapies and procedures designed to increase comfort and ensure the best quality of care at all times.

High quality end-of-life care in Cape May County, NJ 

United Methodist Communities at The Shores strives to deliver the very best hospice care for your loved one in Bridges, an assisted living neighborhood dedicated to hospice and palliative care.  Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Bridges is a warm and compassionate space where residents and their families receive the attention and care they need during this difficult time. As a United Methodist community, we strive to ensure that all of our residents needs are met, from their physical comfort to spiritual support and companionship. Our associates are  trained and experienced.

For more information on hospice services, please contact us today.

This content was originally posted at https://umcommunities.org/blog/importance-compassionate-hospice-care/