Monday, March 6, 2023

Does getting on hospice mean you're giving up?

 SilverStone Hospice: Why does hospice care not equate to giving up on life?

Why Hospice Is Not Giving Up

Any patient with a prognosis of six months or less to live when the life-limiting condition/terminal illness runs its normal course is eligible for hospice care. This criterion automatically makes people feel that hospice care is about giving up. SilverStone Hospice, the experienced hospice care in Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex discusses why this notion is very far from the truth and how hospice can provide relief and comfort to an ailing patient. 

#1 Hospice means hope

Hospice is often associated with a preconceived notion that it means giving up on life. In reality, hospice focuses on improving a patient's quality of life at the end stages of a terminal illness. The comprehensive care plan and experienced professionals who provide hospice care aim to improve the patient's last days and make them as stress-free as possible. Thus, the care provides respite and relief to the patients and their entire families. Hence, hospice can be defined as the best way to transition to the final stages of life; and is not giving up on life. 

#2 Personalized care

Caregiving personnel is available to help 24/7. The team consists of medical personnel, chaplains, and volunteers who provide emotional and spiritual support. SilverStone Hospice develops a personalized care plan for each patient with the help of the entire team - doctor, nurse, social worker, and spiritual support team. The care plan will focus on all the little things that matter to the patient, their likes and dislikes, and hobbies and interests. Such a customized plan makes the patient feel cared for and helps their mental well-being. 

#3 Familiar environment

The most helpful point about hospice care is that it can be offered at any place the patients call their home. When customized care is given in the presence of family and friends in their home, it definitely helps improve the patient's condition. Pain and symptom management and routine nurse visits help reduce emergency hospital visits.

#4 Process-oriented care plan and professionals

Hospice care is provided by a highly qualified medical team assisted by chaplains, nurses’ aids, and volunteers. The team also consists of mental health professionals who focus on the patient's mental well-being. 

#5 Quality over quantity - How long do most people live in hospice?

All these above factors help in improving the quality of life of a terminally ill patient. It has been seen that patients who are under hospice care often live longer than those who are not. Many patients feel temporary improvement in their medical condition, and some even outlive their prognosis. Patients are free to get discharged from hospice care if they think their health has improved enough and return to curative care. 

#6 Comes after critical care

Critical care ends when medical doctors treating the patient conclude that a cure for the disease is not further possible. At this stage, patients can receive hospice care to gain control over how to live in their final months. Hospice care is a good option for terminally ill patients and their families as it helps them to be empowered each day and look forward to tomorrow with hope and courage. 

SilverStone Hospice: The Hospice Care at Dallas, Tx

SilverStone Hospice is the best hospice service in Dallas Tx with the motto “No one dies alone.” The team has been serving the DFW area for more than 10 years and is licensed and certified by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The team at SilverStone knows to focus on little things, as these little things make a world of difference. As per patient testimonials- “The hospice not only treats physical pain but also manages all kinds of distress - emotional, social, and spiritual.”

Make an appointment to meet the team at SilverStone Hospice by calling (214) 954-7285. 

Hospice Myths busted, and life made easier

 SilverStone Hospice: What are the common myths and prejudices one faces while considering hospice care?

Myths About Hospice Care - Why do people not choose Hospice?

Many people have misconceptions about hospice care and what it can offer. The main aim of hospice care is to provide care and support to patients battling a terminal illness. Hospice also extends comfort and support to the family members of the patients by providing them with bereavement support. SilverStone Hospice, the best Dallas hospice care, talks about the common misconceptions and myths people believe about hospice care and reveals the truth about them.

#1 Hospice care requires moving out of one’s home to a hospital or hospice facility

Hospice is not a place; it is a method of care provided to terminally ill patients. Hospice care can be given to patients at their homes or in an inpatient facility where the patient resides. 

#2 Hospice care is only for cancer patients

Hospice care is administered to provide comfort and support for all terminally ill patients/patients with life-limiting conditions, including kidney failure, heart disease, lung disease, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's, coma, and cancer. 

#3 Hospice care is expensive

Hospice is covered under Medicare/ Medicaid and other private insurance schemes. The plans include medical supplies, equipment, and visits by nurses and physicians. Medicare/ Medicaid is not a prerequisite for hospice care. Patients are not denied end-life care due to their inability to pay. 

#4 Hospice is only for the last couple of weeks of life

Hospice care can be given to any patient with a prognosis of six months or less to live as certified by a physician. Often, it is seen that patients outlive this time frame with the care and support from a hospice facility.

#5 Hospice care is only for the patient

Many hospice centers offer bereavement support to family members for an extended time, even after the patient's passing under hospice care. 

#6 It is not possible to opt out of office care after enrolling for it

It is the decision of the patient and their family members whether or not to continue in hospice care. Patients can opt out of hospice care and return to hospital care/home care when their situation improves or as per their wish. 

#7 Only a doctor can refer to a hospice service

Taking a doctor's advice regarding the continuity and nature of treatment required is a good idea. However, transitioning to hospice care is a decision that needs to be made by the patient and the family members. 

#8 Family members cannot be present during hospice care

Families are encouraged to be part of the patient's hospice care as they face the difficult time of their lives. Families are a much-needed support system for the mental and emotional well-being of the patient. 

#9 Hospice care is 24 hours care

Hospice care is administered via patient visits by medical professionals and administering the necessary care on a regular basis. This may not be 24 hours care. Some hospice centers provide inpatient facilities. However, if the patient requires continuous medical monitoring, selecting a program that provides inpatient treatment facilities, such as a hospital, may be better. 

#10 Hospice is only about pain medication 

Pain relief is one main part of hospice care. However, hospice also encompasses the patient's emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains are available in hospice programs to help with the patient's holistic care. 

SilverStone Hospice: The Comfort Care Hospice Dallas, Tx


SilverStone Hospice is a custom care Dallas hospice service that provides unparalleled support and cares to its patients in their final hours, reinforcing the motto “No one dies alone,” The hospice offers care from the heart and understands that each patient is an individual with hopes, dreams, and dignity. SilverStone Hospice ensures transparent services and clear communication while working with the patients and their families. The team guarantees vigilant support through the transition and journey of hospice care. 

Meet the team at SilverStone Hospice by calling (214) 954-7285. 

What differentiates the terms Palliative and Hospice?

SilverStone Hospice: What are the differences between Hospice Care and Palliative Care?

What differentiates the terms Palliative and Hospice?

Hospice and Palliative Care primarily aim to provide symptom and pain relief to patients. However, the qualifying criteria and intended results of these care types tend to differ. If you are searching for ‘hospice care near me’, it is crucial to understand that hospice care is comfort care offered to the patient at the end stages of life. It helps the patient and the family prepare and cope with the idea of bereavement. Palliative Care can be provided to people at any stage of illness as decided by the doctor. SilverStone Hospice, the hospice care in Dallas Tx talks main differences between hospice care and palliative care.

Scope

Hospice Care is not curative in nature. It is rather the comfort care given to patients. The caregiving team consists not only of doctors and nurses but also of social workers, chaplains, and volunteers who aim to provide holistic relief physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The hospice care team also supports the patient’s family by giving them “respite for the caregiver’s relief,” where the primary caregiver is given a break by placing the patient in the care of a temporary skilled caregiver for some time. Most hospice centers also provide bereavement support to the family. 

Palliative care is the care given to critically or terminally ill patients for relief from symptoms of pain, nausea, mental stress, or shortness of breath. Palliative care is an addition to the main treatment plan and is given together with ongoing medical treatment. Doctors can prescribe palliative care for people with long-running critical diseases such as cancer or AIDS or even manage the side effects of the main treatment plan. Palliative care generally improves the patient's quality of life by keeping them more active at work and in daily life. 

Eligibility

A patient with less than 6 months to live, certified by a physician when the disease takes its normal course, is eligible for hospice care. 

Doctors can give palliative care at any stage of the treatment - at the time of diagnosis, between the curative treatment, or at the end stage of the illness. 

Payment 

Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans cover all hospice expenses, including supplies of medicines, medical equipment, and visits by medical personnel. 

No one can be denied hospice care despite not having Medicare or Medicaid schemes. 

Palliative care is generally only partially covered by Medicare and other insurance plans. Patients should check with insurance providers about the extent of coverage. 

Place of care

Hospice care can be given by the care team at any place the patients call their home - at their place of residence, hospital, or nursing home. Some hospice care centers also provide inpatient facilities where they can admit the patient to provide care at their center. 

Palliative care can be provided wherever a patient is receiving medical treatment. It can take place in a hospital, a doctor's office, a nursing home, or even at home.

SilverStone Hospice: The Dallas Hospice and Place for Palliative Care

SilverStone Hospice is a licensed and certified hospice service in the DFW area. The team at SilverStone is dedicated to helping their patients and families move forward through emotional, financial, and practical challenges. Their services are particularly tailored to meet the family’s needs by focusing on the little things as they make the most difference. The expert team comprises physicians, nurses, nurses’ aids, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. The following are the added features of their hospice and palliative care services:

  • 24-hour on-call nursing support
  • Routine in-home care
  • Respite for caregiver relief
  • Bereavement and Emotional support
  • Volunteer support
  • Mental Health Wellness

If your Google search frequently features hospice care near me, it is time to get in touch with the team at SilverStone Hospice by calling (214) 954-7285.