Consider Home-Based Palliative Care As An Alternative To Going To A Care Facility
If you have a family member who is terminally ill and is thinking about moving into a palliative care facility, there might be another option for you to consider. Whether the person lives at home or has recently moved in with you, arranging a home health aide to visit can be worthwhile. You can talk with a place like Ameristaff Nursing Services for more information.
Many home care agencies have aides who specialize in palliative care, and the presence of this healthcare professional can serve as an alternative to moving into a care facility. Here are some reasons why you should strongly consider arranging this approach for your loved one.
More Comfort
Many people find that staying at home toward the end of their lives offers a high degree of comfort. Some people simply don't enjoy being in a care facility: the bed might not be as comfortable as at home, the surroundings may be unfamiliar, and there's little in the way of privacy. If your loved one has these kinds of feelings, they're easily erased by staying at home and involving a home health aide for palliative care. Your family member will remain highly comfortable in his or her own bed and surrounded by his or her family, friends, and possessions, all while receiving the necessary medical care.
No Shortage Of Medical Care
In many palliative care cases, the patient will simply need to be kept out of pain through the use of medication. Once a doctor has prescribed certain pain medications, the home health aide can administer them as necessary. Whether it's medication given intravenously or through pills, the health aide will constantly monitor the patient's pain level and provide the proper medication when it's permitted. The aide can also provide other types of care that your loved one would receive at the hospital, including help with getting up and walking to reduce back pain or the risk of bed sores.
Easier For Family
While the patient should always be the priority, having him or her stay at home is often easier on the family. For example, if the elderly person is staying in a family member's home, travel no longer becomes an issue. Conversely, if the only palliative care facility with an open bed is 45 minutes away, the family will face plenty of travel time — and the cost of gas and parking — with each visit. Having a home health aide on the scene to allow the family member to remain in the home environment gives the family more time together.