The initial phase of hospice care involves an assessment process. In this phase, a physician assesses the patient’s health status to decide if they qualify for services within the hospice program.
After formulating a care strategy for the patient, we proceed to the second phase: Comfort Care. In this phase, collaborative efforts are focused on ensuring the patient’s physical well-being by effectively managing pain and regulating symptoms.
As end-of-life approaches, typically within a six-month time-frame, the emphasis transitions to providing end-of-life care and assistance. During this hospice care phase, there may be a decrease or cessation in medical interventions, allowing treatments to concentrate on providing relief and tranquility instead of pursuing recovery.
Hospices provide much more than medical attention; they deliver an extensive range of support services. Their approach emphasizes emotional sustenance not only for the patient but also for family members at every stage of the journey, extending into grief counseling following the loss of a loved one.
Hospice care providers understand that patients aren’t the only ones facing challenges during these trying times; their families are also navigating emotional stress. Therefore, hospices provide comprehensive support initiatives for family members, including grief counseling and informative sessions on critical end-of-life topics, from advanced directives to options in palliative care.