The end of life is a topic we are all trying avoid. Children, teens and most young people believe themselves invincible. The prospect of life coming to the end is inconceivable to them. Adults feel similarly that is until the prospect of death of a loved one (usually, a parent) confronts them, directly.
Since we are so steadfast in our denial of the very possibility of death, when the prospect of inevitable death (our own or a loved one) confronts us, many find themselves utterly unprepared. It is very hard to comprehend that life (or the presence of a person) which we’ve always taken for granted, isn’t. The emotional impact of such news is shocking and paralyzing. We don’t know how to process such news. In the vast majority of cases, we have no idea how to proceed in terms of practical matters such as ensuring end of life care, dealing with grief and eventually, making funeral and memorial service arrangements.
Our own emotions of shock and grief can be overwhelming and often make rational planning and actions impossible. This is how the prospect of impending death affects us on a personal level: it is nothing but pain, fear and anticipation of loss.
The encounter with the end of life may well be a first time experience for many of us. But just as it is the case in other traumatic situations, you are not the only one dealing with it. Many survived it before you, others are dealing with it as we speak. You are not alone. There is help.
The end of life is a life’s stage and we’ll all have to pass through it, sooner or later. The person whose life is about to expire has to be acknowledged, provided with the best comfort care and supported throughout the process. The family of the dying person needs emotional and spiritual support as well.
The medicine we are used to deals with treating and / or curing diseases. Medicine plays an important role in the end of life stage too but it is a different type of medicine. It’s called “palliative care”.
According to U.S. National Library of Medicine:
“Palliative care is treatment of the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of serious illness. It provides relief from distressing symptoms including
- Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Problems with sleep
- It can also help you deal with the side effects of the medical treatments you’re receiving.
Hospice care, care at the end of life, always includes palliative care.”
Palliative care is medical care but with a different focus: it doesn’t aim at curing but comforting. Hospice care includes palliative care and more. It addresses also psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and the patient’s family.
When you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a limited life expectancy, it’s time to arrange for hospice care.
According to Hospice Foundation Of America:
“Hospice offers medical care toward a different goal: maintaining or improving quality of life for someone whose illness, disease or condition is unlikely to be cured. Each patient’s individualized care plan is updated as needed to address the physical, emotional and spiritual pain that often accompanies terminal illness. Hospice care also offers practical support for the caregiver(s) during the illness and grief support after the death. Hospice is something more that is available to the patient and the entire family when curative measures have been exhausted and life prognosis is six months or less.”
While many believe that hospice is a place, in reality hospice is a service. Hospice services are available in the patient’s home, hospital, nursing home, etc.
Some of us may have heard rumors about poor quality hospice care: the staff being unreliable, nurses running late or even, outright patient neglect. It doesn’t have to be this way because YOU have several choices in this matter:
- the choice of hospice care provider
- the choice of location where hospice care is provided
- the choice of the level of family involvement
By making these choices and explaining your needs and expectations in advance you can ensure that you – or a loved one – receive quality, compassionate care.
One of Los Angeles area reputable hospice care providers is Burbank-based Revive Hospice Care Group.
Revive Hospice provides hospice care at the location of your choice. You’ll get to customize the extent of care and create a schedule that suits your needs best. You’ll get to define how much your family will be involved in the process. Once the plan of hospice care is personalized, you can expect:
- services of an interdisciplinary team of professionals (which may include the patient’s doctor) and trained volunteers
- Revive Hospice care is available 24/7
- comfort care for the patient
- moral support for the patient’s family
Last but not least, hospice services are usually covered by MediCal, Medicare and other types of health insurance. Medical equipment, supplies and medications needed for the patient’s comfort care are covered by the hospice program.
Everyone’s life ends, eventually. It is important to know that support for end of life care is available. It is possible to ensure that you – or someone you love – receive effective and compassionate care – consisting of physical, emotional and spiritual support – during this period. You – or your loved one – can be comfortable, pain-free (to the extent possible), there may even be some quality time still left. Just as important, the family of the person facing end of life can be provided with emotional and spiritual care as well as with help in decision-making during this difficult time. You are not alone. Help is available.
