7 Essential Ways Home Care Enhances Hospice Support for Patients and Families

Understanding the Role of Home Care in Hospice

If you’re familiar with hospice, you know that the care, comfort, and support team members provide makes end-of-life situations a little easier for patients and their families. However, combining home care and hospice support can ensure that all of a patient’s needs—both medical and non-medical—are met with compassion and expertise.

But, in most cases, there are important tasks that are not included hospice care.

“Hospice professionals are truly godsends – providing much needed support while overseeing the patient’s medical care and pain management,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “We know, however, that many patients also need help with non-medical tasks. That’s why we work closely with families and hospice organizations to ensure all of the patients needs are met.”

7 Ways Home Care Complements Hospice Services

At HCAN, our professional caregivers are trained to work in hospice situations. The services they provide include:

1. Personal Care Assistance
   Home care professionals assist with personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting, which can sometimes be challenging for family members. This essential service ensures that patients receive dignified, compassionate care while enhancing the overall effectiveness of home care and hospice support.
   
2. Meal Preparation and Kitchen Help
   Help with grocery shopping, meal prep and kitchen clean-up.
3. Medication Reminders for Peace of Mind
   Organize the patient’s medications and ensuring they take right meds at the right time. 
4. Light Housekeeping to Ease the Burden
   Take care of laundry, vacuuming and other household chores.
5. Continuity of Care with Hospice Teams
   Work closely with the hospice team, providing ongoing support and monitoring the patient’s needs
6. Emotional Support for Patients and Families
   Emotional support is a cornerstone of home care and hospice support. Caregivers provide comfort to patients and their families, helping to alleviate anxiety and stress during this challenging time.
7. Respite care
   Offer compassionate supplemental support to hospice professionals and respite care for family members and friends.

The Benefits of Combining Home Care with Hospice

“When home care is coupled with hospice, patients are able to remain in familiar surroundings with a trusted team of professionals,” Goetz said. “Whether it’s for a few hours a week or 24/7, our compassionate care teams develop comprehensive care plans designed to meet every patient’s unique needs. By combining home care and hospice support, we ensure that patients can remain in familiar surroundings with a trusted team of professionals, making this difficult time as peaceful as possible.”

How HCAN Supports Hospice Patients and Families

Ready to learn more about how home care and hospice support can make a difference for your loved one? Visit HCAN.com or call your local HCAN-supported office to speak with our compassionate care team today.