Are Family Members No Longer Necessary Once Hospice Takes Over?
A common misconception that family members have once hospice becomes an option is that they’re no longer needed. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though.
Hospice Is Total Care
Hospice services are not about limiting your senior’s care. They’re also not a way to replace you and other family members. Hospice elder care providers are there to help to make your senior as comfortable as she can be. They’re also there to help with medical procedures, gain you access to resources that you need, and to preserve your senior’s dignity during this difficult time.
Visiting Is Vital
You and other family members don’t have to do anything, especially if you’ve got hospice elder care providers doing the heavy lifting for your family member. But visiting her might be the most important thing that you can do. It’s vital for your senior to know that you’re there for her, that you love her, and that you want to comfort her. Even if your elderly family member isn’t conscious as much as you would like her to be, it’s very possible she knows you’re there.
The Care You Offer May Change
In the past, the types of care that you offered your senior were likely much more hands-on. Now, you might feel as if you don’t really know what to do. That’s normal and it’s something that you can get past. The care you offer now may be more that of support. Let your senior know what she’s done for you over the years and offer her comfort in big and small ways.
Advocating for Your Senior Never Stops
You’re the best liaison right now between your senior and all of her healthcare providers. You may even hold her power of attorney for just this purpose. Your role as her advocate is something that doesn’t end unless either of you decides that it should. You’re still there for your senior to make sure that she’s getting exactly the types of care that she determined that she wanted.
Hospice elder care services are there for your senior, for you, and for other family members, too. They understand what a difficult time this is for everyone involved and they want to make the experience easier on all of you. With your help, they can give your senior the care that she needs to live out the rest of her days the way she wants.
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