Wednesday, January 4, 2023

How to plan and prepare for death when a life-threatening illness is diagnosed

 

SilverStone Hospice, Dallas, TX discusses what needs to be done when a terminal illness is diagnosed

Dallas, United States - December 5, 2022 /SilverStone Hospice/

Planning and preparing for death sounds morbid. But, when one has a life-threatening condition and a prognosis of fewer than six months to live, planning and preparing for the event is sensible. It can be the blessing one leaves behind for loved ones rather than loose ends they will have to tie when dealing with grief. Knowing the time frame helps organize all matters - legal, financial, property, assets, and even funeral arrangements - with clarity and precision. Hospice care helps in these matters, as well as providing end-of-life care. SilverStone Hospice is a well-known provider of Hospice services in Dallas.

What to put in order?

Difficult as it is to think of long-term needs, one must sit down and visualize what one would have done in the future. Making a list and putting down the probable financial requirements of the family could be a starting point, followed by an evaluation of financial assets and liabilities. A property to be divided between children could be next. Other legal aspects are to be processed. 

  • Make a Will - few people realize the importance of making a Will and dying ‘intestate.’ Even if there is not much property or assets, making a Will simplifies it for the family. The Will can also contain specific instructions for minor children’s guardianship. Making a Will is not very complicated, but necessary.
  • Making a “Living Will” - having a terminal illness, it is very likely that the patient may reach a point where he or she is unable to communicate anymore. SilverStone is the best hospice care in Dallas, TX, and while they can make the patient comfortable, the deteriorating condition may warrant putting them on life support. However, if the patient has made a Living Will stating that they do not want to go on life support, the patient’s wishes have to be adhered to. It is a legal document also known as an Advance Directive. 
  • Power of Attorney - gives another person the authority to act on behalf of the patient and execute their instructions as laid down in the Living Will. This person must be aware of the contents of the Living Will. They must follow the directives when the patient reaches a state where they are unable to make decisions regarding their health and medication. 
  • Specifying details for the funeral - is a tough one. But doing this will take the burden off the shoulders of the ones left behind. The individual can leave detailed instructions on what kind of arrangements they want for their final journey. Hospice care services like SilverStone Hospice Care, Dallas, provide support to the bereaved family in carrying out the requests of their loved one. 

Helping fulfill the wishes of terminally-ill patients 

Being told that you have just six months to live is like having the rug pulled out from beneath your feet. So, many thoughts and feelings come racing through the mind. Fear, worry, desperation, hopelessness. How to provide for the family? How to put one's affairs in order? How long will one be able to function normally? What will happen after one is gone? Who will look after one in these last few months? Many of these questions are taken care of by reaching out to a Hospice care provider like SilverStone Hospice, which provides a custom care hospice in Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, TX. 

SilverStone is committed to holding your hand through this time of transition and providing an enriching end-of-life experience to the patient. They will also help the family come to terms with the transition. The team has chaplains who take care of spiritual needs and counselors and volunteers who take care of emotional needs. They will also help the patient put their affairs in order. For compassionate and empathetic end-of-life care, call SilverStone Hospice at (214) 954-7285.

Points to consider while choosing a Hospice service

 

What are the important factors to be considered while choosing a hospice for your loved one?

Dallas, United States - December 16, 2022 /SilverStone Hospice/

Points to consider while choosing a Hospice service

Transitioning a loved one or a family member to hospice care is difficult for the entire family. It is emotionally taxing, and hence people tend to make sentimental decisions that are not well thought out. SilverStone Hospice, the experienced Hospice Home care in Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, identifies the questions one should ask before choosing a hospice care center. 

Type of Hospice care

First, it is necessary to choose the type of hospice care that would be comfortable for the ailing person. Hospice care can be home-hospice care, hospital-based care, or stand-alone facilities. While opting for hospice care at home, the home-hospice center will work with the family to find out how much the family can emotionally, financially, and physically support in taking care of the member opting for the care - whether the family can help in administering pain relief medication, help with the toilet needs or are prepared for the extra expenses beyond insurance coverage. 

The home-hospice center will help decide if home care is the best option for the patient. 

Medicare-certified / nationally accredited

Most hospice care services are medicare certified, which will help in insurance coverage for patients who have Medicare benefits. SilverStone Hospice is licensed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and certified to accept Medicare and Medicaid.

Reviews

One should consider the reviews offered by previous users of the service. Also, it is necessary to check for any negative publicity or scandal about the centers.

Palliative care

If there is a need, check whether the center offers palliative care. Also, note whether the doctors and nurses are trained and have experience in palliative medicine. 

Crisis response

It is necessary to ask the following questions regarding the emergency response of the service:

  •  How quickly can they respond to an emergency call?
  • Are they available 24 hours a day?
  • Are they available on weekends and holidays?
  • How often does a nurse/ doctor visit the patient?
  • Can they provide staff to assist with the patient’s bathing and toileting needs?
  • How quickly can they readjust pain relief and other medication related to hospice care if the one being administered is not suitable?

Patient / Family centric service

The following questions will help determine if the hospice has a patient/family-centric policy.

  • Does the service offer an individualized team/ custom hospice care for the patient?
  • Does the team contain staff to help with the emotional aspect of things?
  • Do they help with the mental well-being of the patient?
  • Do they offer respite for the caregiver?
  • Do they offer bereavement support?
  • What is medical equipment provided free of cost?

Monetary Aspects

Medicare’s hospice benefit generally provides for everything related to a terminal illness, from doctor’s services to mental health counseling. It is best to have an open conversation with the center about the out-of-pocket expenses the caregiver may need to bear.

SilverStone Hospice, The Best Hospice Care in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

SilverStone Hospice, the custom care hospice service in Dallas, understands your family's needs in difficult times. SilverStone Hospice has a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers experienced in hospice and palliative care. The team stays with you every step of the way, taking care of all the little things as they believe that the little things make a big difference.

ContactSilverStone Hospice at (214) 954-7285 to learn more about their team and services. 

Or visit their office at 

4100 Harry Hines Blvd.

Suite 375

Dallas, TX 75219

Living life to the fullest before dying of a terminal illness

 

How to live life to the fullest when diagnosed with a terminal illness - SilverStone Hospice, Dallas, TX.

Dallas, United States - December 9, 2022 /SilverStone Hospice/

Making life worth remembering before dying of a terminal illness

The only thing sure about life is that we all have to die someday. When and how is not in one's hands. Every person hopes to live a full, happy, and long life. But sometimes, certain situations put a spanner in the works - like a life-threatening or terminal illness. A hale and hearty individual is struck down by a serious illness or an accident, leaving them with a very low life expectancy - as little as six months or less to live. Suddenly, life seems bleak and challenging for the individual, the family members, and the caregivers. SilverStone Hospice care brings a ray of hope to patients who are at this juncture and need care and looking after during the last days of their life.

Making the time left to count 

We always wish we had all the time in the world to spend with our families, friends, and loved ones, making as many memories as possible. However, facing the reality that we will all have to leave this world at some point can be depressing and devastating.

But if one chooses, one can make the remaining time count in more ways than one.

  • Spending time with loved ones - it is time that is limited. Spending quality time with family and friends is therapeutic and gives immense pleasure. Both patients and family members benefit from this bonding - building memories and special moments together.
  • Creating memoirs and happy memories for those left behind - photographs and pictures are the best ways to preserve time spent with loved ones. Making an effort to create and store these memories in the form of movies, photographs, and other digital media is a legacy that the family will treasure.
  • Having a bucket list of things you wish to do with a terminally ill family member - Volunteers from one of the most trusted hospice companies in Dallas, TX, like SilverStone, will go the extra mile to help their terminally ill patients complete their bucket list as much as possible. Fulfilling these things or family activities will make their remaining time fruitful, satisfying, and worth remembering.
  • Writing letters and notes - sometimes emotions are so strong and palpable that putting them into words becomes difficult, especially when one is face-to-face with a loved one. So, putting down what one feels in a letter or a note may be easier than saying it. Convey the emotion because it will be a precious keepsake for the loved one.

SilverStone Hospice is always there

When faced with a life-threatening situation, one needs understanding, empathy, and care from trained professionals to take one through the pain and emotional upheaval. Hospice care provides all of this and much more. Besides alleviating the symptoms of the illness or condition, SilverStone provides a custom care hospice in Dallas, TX, using a holistic approach. They are certified and licensed to provide hospice care for terminally ill patients and will create a program according to the needs of the patient and the family. Dedicated and compassionate individuals come together to form a team that provides crisis management, grief counseling, and spiritual healing, or sit by the bedside to hold your hand. Being terminally ill is unfortunate, but it does not have to be a miserable time. Bring SilverStone Hospice into your home and let them make your final journey a happy time with loved ones and memorable moments. Call (214) 954-7285.