10 10, 2022

Respite Care: Definition, Services, Costs, and Types

Robert Laethem2022-11-01T07:02:10-04:00Categories: News|

It’s exhausting to have a loved one with a terminal illness and provide them with all the love and care they need round the clock. However, taking care of them can sometimes get overwhelming and stressful. You may need some time for yourself, or you risk becoming inefficient in your everyday life. In such cases, you can resort to hospice respite care and allow yourself a break. With hospice respite care, you can rest assured that your loved one will be provided 24-hour care by the hospice care team. Below, we have talked all about respite care for hospice patients, including the services and the costs associated with it. What is respite care? Respite care for hospice patients refers to a short-term break for caretakers looking after patients with a terminal illness at home or in a hospice. Looking after someone with a disability or sickness is a 24-hour job. Therefore, you regularly need a break to look after your own health and needs too. These breaks can be as long or as short as you want —- a few hours, days, or weeks. This is where respite care comes into the picture. Respite care can take place: In your home At a hospital At a relative’s place Who needs respite care? Someone with a disability Read More

6 10, 2022

How To Provide The Best Quality Of Life During Hospice Care?

Robert Laethem2022-11-01T09:56:30-04:00Categories: Hospice Care, News|

Terminally ill patients need care, comfort, and compassion. Therefore, as relatives and caretakers, it’s tantamount to focus on improving their quality of life during their final days. You can also resort to the best hospice care in Michigan to ensure proper love and care for the patient. While a hospice is equipped to offer all the support a patient may need during the final days of their life, it is also up to the loved ones to provide compassion and care to the patient while they are receiving hospice care. Below, we discuss how to provide the best quality of life during hospice care. Give them control: Most patients in hospice care struggle to gain control over their life, resulting in a feeling of helplessness that can disturb their mental health. Therefore, during hospice care, the patients should be given some control by allowing them to make a few decisions regarding their day-to-day schedule. Let them choose what activities they want to do, and/or the kind of food they wish to eat. It will help them feel involved in the decision-making process, thus, boosting their confidence. Be present: Usually, the hospice care team takes great measures to ensure the patient is comfortable. However, know that nothing can replace the care and comfort offered by loved ones. Read More

3 05, 2022

11 End Of Life Signs: What to expect?

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:06:56-04:00Categories: Health, News|

It’s never easy to think about your or your loved one’s death, but the reality is that everyone reaches this stage at some point in their life. While we all go through a different journey, there are some common end of life signs that may indicate when we are nearing death. As much as you might not want to think of the dying process, knowing what to expect as death approaches can help you prepare ahead and make necessary arrangements. It also allows you to maximize the time you have left and spend more time with your family, friends, and loved ones. With that, here’s a guide containing more information on what to expect at the end of life. Whether you intend to prepare yourself for this inevitability or plan to arrange hospice care for your loved ones, you can continue reading below to understand the signs and stages of death and dying. End of Life Signs Decreasing Appetite and Thirst As a person’s body starts to shut down, it stops seeking the nourishment and energy that it normally gets from food. As such, you’ll notice a dramatic decrease in appetite, with patients refusing food and water. While this is understandably upsetting, it’s important not to push someone to eat or drink when they are dying, Read More

8 04, 2022

End of Life Care: Providing Care and Comfort

Robert Laethem2022-10-04T06:06:06-04:00Categories: Hospice Care, News|

The end of life is a natural event that no one can prevent nor postpone when it is time. Eventually, your loved ones will get old and reach their final hours. However, this does not mean that one should forgo the need to seek quality care and support when the inevitable comes. In fact, when death is nearing, it becomes even more vital for an individual to receive palliative care to provide them with the utmost comfort and dignity they deserve. After all, everyone is entitled to a comfortable and quality life, regardless of one’s condition and state. Read on below to learn more about end of life care and how it can benefit the patient and their families, especially during one’s final days. What is end of life care? End of life care refers to the overall care and support provided to a person nearing the end of their life. Its main focus is to help the patient live as well and comfortable as possible until their final breath. Furthermore, it aims to improve one’s quality of life despite being in their last days, months, or years. End of life services involve different kinds of physical, mental, social, and spiritual assistance. This type of care may look different for each patient since everyone has different Read More

22 02, 2022

3 Questions to Ask Yourself: Is it Time for Hospice?

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:08:32-04:00Categories: Adults, Health, Hospice Care, News|

One of the most challenging seasons in life is caring for aging and ill family members. It is difficult to watch your loved ones suffer from symptoms of terminal illnesses, such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease. Feelings of helplessness and fear can take over thoughts clouding your judgment and adding to the stress of trying to juggle their needs and the demands of our busy lives. The heartbreaking truth is that it is only a matter of time before your loved ones' needs may become unmanageable without additional support or professional care, as their illness progresses. Instead of focusing on the overwhelm, it’s time to allow our caring staff to support your family’s needs. This will allow you to focus on the most important things, time together and comfort. We understand the stress brought on by making medical decisions, providing care and trying to navigate increased medical visits takes a toll on caregivers, that is why we will work to tailor a care plan you need that surrounds the whole family. Here are three questions that can help you determine when’s the right time for hospice. Does your loved one have life-limiting conditions? Hospice care is the best choice of care option for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and who have been determined to Read More

22 02, 2022

5 Common Hospice Diagnosis

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:09:12-04:00Categories: Adults, Health, Hospice Care, News|

It is an unfortunate misconception that hospice care is only for those expected to die in a few weeks or a “place” for the dying and hopeless people with terminal illnesses. Hospice care is in fact meant to serve those who are suffering from a terminal illness, yes, but was developed to provide care and support to sustain quality of life. When a terminally ill patient and their loved ones embrace hospice care for what it really is一a health plan that focuses on improving one’s quality of life, it becomes an option that centers on caring instead of curing which allows the family to spend their energy and attention on what matters. In fact, statistics suggest that roughly 53.8% of Medicare beneficiaries chose and received hospice services as part of their plan of care. That was a 4% increase in hospice patients compared to the previous year. It is a testament to the benefits that come with partnering your car with a hospice team. Families should never make assumptions that their loved one won’t qualify. Speaking to our experienced specialists will help you determine the qualifications and next steps. This is how Cardinal Hospice helps take the pressure off of your family, we help every step of the way. Additionally, more and more people with different Read More

22 10, 2021

What Is Hospice Care At Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Robert Laethem2021-11-23T23:10:30-05:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care, News|

According to studies, if given a chance, seven in ten Americans would prefer to pass peacefully in the comfort of their home. However, not everyone has the opportunity to choose their own end-of-life care plan or have their last wishes honored. Fortunately, it is still not too late for you or your loved one to prioritize comfort rather than prolonging life through drugs and hospitalization. You can start discussing the possibility of hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life right away. But what is hospice care at home, and what does this care option entail? Keep on reading below as we go into detail about everything you need to know about hospice. What is Hospice? Hospice care refers to a unique care option given to individuals with a life-limiting condition or terminal illness. Doctors can also recommend hospice to individuals when: Their bodies do not respond to the treatments administered to cure their disease. They have a downward prognosis despite medications. They want to forgo treatments and get relief from their symptoms instead. This way, they can focus on enjoying their last remaining days the way they want to. Hospice care also aims to provide support to patients by relieving their pain and managing other symptoms so they can live as comfortably as Read More

3 11, 2020

What You Need to Know About 4 Levels of Hospice Care Right Now

Robert Laethem2022-08-10T09:14:00-04:00Categories: News|Tags: Home Care, Palliative Care|

You should always feel at home. Under four levels of hospice care, you will. Hospice care designs treatments to meet the needs of patients, providing them care at the comfort in their own homes. While every hospice regimen is different, four levels of hospice care exist. Here is a quick guide to each level. Differences Between Curative, Palliative, and Hospice Care Curative, palliative and hospice care each have their own definitions, though they have some overlap. Curative care creates complete relief from serious illnesses. Doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent symptoms, attempting to cure illnesses. Palliative care provides comfort and pain management for chronic illnesses. Like curative doctors, palliative doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent symptoms. However, palliative doctors specialize in procedures that assist with chronic illnesses. Palliative care can accompany curative care. You will not give up curative treatments if you engage in palliative ones. If a doctor determines that a patient is likely to die within six months, the doctor admits the patient into hospice care. The four levels of hospice care use palliative treatments to treat physical and psychological symptoms alike. However, hospice care employs no curative measures. Though curative and palliative measures include families, hospice care emphasizes the welfare of families. Families have a voice in their loved one's treatments and can receive therapy if Read More

13 10, 2020

3 Proven Benefits of Hospice Care For Your Loved One

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T05:33:41-04:00Categories: News|Tags: hospice care, Hospice Saginaw, Saginaw|

Did you know that more than one million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in hospice in 2017? While you may be on the fence about joining this percentage, we understand this may be a tough decision to move forward with. However, there are several benefits of hospice care that can be extremely beneficial to both patients and family members. Having a family member admitted to hospice care can be one of the most challenging stages to experience. Additionally, taking care of a loved one can become challenging during the end-of-life stages. Here are three benefits of hospice care that will put your mind at ease. 1. Saves Money One of the well-known benefits of hospice care is the ability to save you money. There are a lot of expenses that can be accrued while taking care of an ill loved one. Fortunately, the umbrella of hospice typically covers many of these expenses. From medical treatments to personal caregivers, choosing to enroll a loved one into hospice can end up saving you money in the long run. Apart from the all-inclusive stay, hospice facilities include medical equipment and procedures in their pricing. Typically, these expenses would be accumulated during unwanted hospital visits, but fortunately, they would be already covered through hospice. 2. 24/7 Care Another one of the Read More

10 08, 2020

5 Astonishing Major Benefits of Hospice Care

Robert Laethem2022-08-10T09:35:42-04:00Categories: News|Tags: hospice care, Hospice Michigan, Hospice Saginaw|

Are you finding yourself searching for "hospice near me?" If you do, this article is especially for you! Here, we will discuss everything about the major benefits of hospice care and some details about the best hospice Saginaw has. So, make sure you read until the end! Hospice is basically a healthcare offering that aims at providing a better quality of life and comfort for people suffering from critical and life-limiting health conditions. The benefits of hospice care provide the best possible care and compassion to people in the final stages of some incurable disease. It focuses on providing a fully comfortable and happy environment for the patients to spend their time better and less stressful. Because most patients in hospice care in the last stages of incurable diseases, they usually die a peaceful death. Such care affirms life but does not necessarily postpone death. The basic philosophy is to treat the person compassionately to live his last days with dignity and quality. Also, the hospice care center is family-centered, which means family members take a full part in making necessary decisions for the patient. Additionally, the benefit of hospice care affords them the time to spend enjoying their loved ones rather than acting as interim caregivers. What is the Right Time For Starting Hospice Care? Read More