When your loved one has less than six months to live, you have a difficult step to take. You need to obtain end-of-life care for the patient. This can be a devastating admission, but is very necessary to ensure the comfort of your loved one as the days wind down.
End of life care is called Hospice care. It is generally recommended by a doctor when a patient has less than six months left, and focuses on the immediate needs of the individual and providing needed support to the family. Hospice care can be provided in several ways:
- In the home
- In dedicated hospice care facilities
- In long-term care facilities
End-of-life patients need not be elderly in order to receive hospice care. The aim of this sort of care is not related to age, but to the needs of a patient in his or her final days. The care focuses on the comfort of the individual and emotional and psychological support for the family. Hospice care is covered under most private insurance plans and under Medicare and Medicaid. Long-term care insurance options also cover hospice care.
Losing a loved one can be one of the worst things a family undergoes. Hospice care is not an admission of defeat, nor is it symbolic of giving up. Rather, it is an important step that can allow your loved one to experience as much comfort as possible in his or her last days.
