If your senior parent is ready for hospice care at home, you should know that having a hospice team will help both you and your parent be more comfortable during this difficult time. Hospice supportive care at home was created to make seniors as comfortable as possible at home when needed.
But having professionals who can keep your parent comfortable and guide you and your family members through this time will help make this time easier for you as well. There’s so much uncertainty during this time, and emotions can run high. It can be a big help to have the support of professionals who can help you understand what to expect and make sure necessary tasks get done.
What Does Hospice Supportive Care At Home Include?
Hospice supportive care at home includes all the support that your parent and your family will need to make sure that nothing is overlooked. You can focus on spending quality time with your parent, and the professionals that are part of the hospice care team will focus on things like:
Pain and symptom management
One of the main goals of hospice supportive care is to keep your parent as comfortable as possible. A hospice nurse visits regularly to check pain levels and other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, or trouble sleeping. The care team adjusts medications as needed and teaches family members how to give them safely.
If your parent is uncomfortable between visits, hospice usually has a nurse on call 24 hours a day. This means help is available even at night or on weekends. The focus is not on curing illness, but on easing discomfort so your parent can rest and feel calm.
Regular visits from a care team
Hospice supportive care at home includes a team of professionals who work together. This often includes nurses, a doctor, a social worker, a chaplain, and trained aides. Each person has a different role, but they all focus on your parents’ comfort and emotional well-being.
Nurses handle medical care. Aides help with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. Social workers help with planning and emotional support. Chaplains offer spiritual care if your family wants it. Visits are scheduled based on your parents’ needs and may increase as their condition changes.
Medical equipment and supplies
Hospice usually provides medical equipment that makes caring for your parent at home easier. This may include a hospital bed, oxygen, a walker, a wheelchair, or a bedside commode. These items are delivered to your home and set up for you.
Hospice also supplies basic medical items like bandages, gloves, wipes, and medications related to comfort care. This reduces stress for families and prevents extra trips to the pharmacy or medical supply store.
Emotional and spiritual support
Hospice care supports the whole person, not just the body. Many seniors feel fear, sadness, or confusion near the end of life. Hospice staff take time to listen, talk, and offer reassurance. They respect your parents’ beliefs and wishes.
Family members also receive support. Caregivers can talk openly about stress, grief, or concerns. Hospice staff help families prepare for what to expect and explain changes as they happen.
Help for family caregivers
Caring for a parent at home can be overwhelming. Hospice teaches family members how to provide care safely, such as moving your parent, giving medication, or noticing signs of discomfort. They answer questions and guide you step by step.
Hospice supportive care also offers short-term respite care in some cases. This gives caregivers a brief break to rest, knowing their parent is still being cared for.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Hospice Supportive Care Services in Plum Boro, PA, please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Pittsburgh today. Call 412-241-7292
Extended Family Care Pittsburgh is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Mercer County, Washington County, as well as the North Hills, South Hills, Fox Chapel, Monroeville, Murrysville, Oakland, Plum Boro, and Squirrel Hill areas.
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