Navigating a plan for end-of-life care can be emotional and difficult. While you only want what is best for your loved one, sometimes it is hard to know what that looks like. Palliative care is care given to people with a life limiting illness or condition. While some people do access palliative care well before the end of their life, it is more commonly used as part of end-of-life care. While palliative care can be offered in a hospital or care facility, more people are choosing to engage this care in their own homes. At Home Care Assistance, our Care Professionals are experts at providing home care for people, including palliative care. Our Care Professionals are aware of the decisions that families can need to make so we have put together this guide to help you.
- Why Home Care?
The provision of end-of-life care at home is becoming increasingly common. Many people have a preference to die in their own home. This way they can be in an environment that is familiar to them and surrounded by their own things. It can also make it easier for friends and family to come and visit. However, receiving the right care can help keep your loved one comfortable and be at peace.
- Know Your Loved One’s Wishes
Having a conversation with your loved one before getting to the point of needing end-of-life care is important. This way you can know their wishes and do your best to uphold them. This can be a difficult conversation to have, but knowing how to plan for a loved one’s end of life in a manner that is consistent with their wishes provides peace to both the loved one, and the people who care about them. It can also help avoid family tension regarding the right sort of care if you know what you loved one wants.
- Should I Care for My Loved One Myself?
Many times, people feel like they should be caring for their loved one themselves. However, engaging professionals who can provide medical care and take some of the caring load leaves you free to spend time with your loved one, without the need to take on all the responsibility. Trained professionals are generally in a better position to deal with the medical issues that arise with end-of-life care. Getting in professional help does not mean you can’t care for your loved one, you can still do the things you want to do, but you don’t have to do it all.
- Access Services Early
Accessing services early means if it takes time or organise extra care or medical equipment then you have it when you need it. It also means you aren’t trying to arrange everything when you might just want to be spending time with your loved one.
- Communication is Key
When engaging end-of-life care for a loved one, communication is key. Ask questions and tell them what it is you are looking for. Also make sure the Care Professionals know about any specific requests by your loved one. Open communication helps the Care Professionals to provide the best support to you and your loved one.
Have a loved one requiring end-of-life care is a challenging time. Knowing what your loved one wants, and accessing the right services early can help you navigate this difficult stage. Home care as end-of-life care is not something everyone wants, but if it is your loved one’s wish to die at home, speak to a care agency such as Home Care Assistance who have expertise in this area to support you in obtaining the right care for your loved one.
Support of a home care agency like Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefit and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions when it comes to supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
