9 Ways Hospice Helps Family Caregivers

9-ways-hospice-helps-(1).jpg


BY: Gwen Rifici, LSW, CHP-SW

CATEGORY: Hospice

​The most common statement I hear from families after their experience with us is, “Gee, I wish we had gone with hospice sooner.” Although each of us is mortal, death and dying are not something we spend much time thinking about. We’re too busy living day to day.

When a loved one receives a terminal diagnosis, it is hard for them, and for their families, to come to terms with the fact that time is limited. Time together suddenly becomes a precious commodity.

Hospice does its best work when life is measured in weeks or months, supporting not only our patients by managing pain and other chronic disease symptoms, but supporting the family members caring for them.
 
Here are just a few of the ways we support family caregivers:

1. We teach you techniques to make your job easier and your loved one more comfortable, such as how to safely transfer from a wheelchair into a bed without straining your back.

2. Our team arranges delivery of medically appropriate supplies to make your loved one more comfortable while easing your burdens. Examples include walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds and bedside commodes.

3. A hospice nurse provides instructions and support to help you organize and administer medications, change dressings, and assist with care between visits. Our hotline gives you around-the-clock access to a nurse. 

4. A hospice nursing assistant (HNA) frees up more family time by providing compassionate care that preserves your loved one’s dignity. The HNA assists as needed with toileting, showering, personal grooming, the changing of bed linens and other needs.

5. It is vital that family caregivers take breaks to preserve their wellbeing. We help by providing care for your loved one at our Hospice of Medina County in-patient care unit, or by offering a trained, respite care volunteer to your home so you can run errands, meet friends or relax and unwind.

6. Members of the hospice care team - such as a social worker or an advanced practice nurse - can assist in completing an Advance Directive (AD). This is an important set of documents that communicate end-of-life care preferences.

7. Frequently, family business affairs must be put in order. Our social worker assists you in accessing the community resources needed.

8. Regular communication with our families is vital. We help the entire family understand what is happening, and what to expect.

9. Bereavement specialists are available as to help families prepare for the upcoming loss and to provide grief support for 13 months after a loved one’s death.

We Can Help

Speak with the referral team by contacting us seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Any first visit and admission can be made the first day.

Northern Ohio's Hospice of Choice

More than 1,000 Hospice of the Western Reserve employees and 3,000 volunteers live and work side-by-side in the same neighborhoods with our patients and families. We are privileged to have cared for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since our inception.