Being Prepared for Changes
Caregiving often comes with new responsibilities and unfamiliar tasks, yet most caregivers never receive education. The following information may help you with a current situation or prepare you for what may happen.
Hospice is end-of-life care that involves a team-oriented approach to quality medical care and pain/symptom management. This includes emotional and spiritual support tailored to your loved one needs. HNC provides medical equipment and medications related to the terminal illness. Support is given to you as a caregiver including counselors to talk to, nurses and aides to teach you hands-on care, volunteers to provide respite and chaplains to aid with spiritual issues.
In addition to hospice, there may be other community resources that can help you and your loved one. We can help you find out the local organizations that offer services to ease your burden. This can include meals on wheels, caregiver training classes, transportation, friendly visitors and respite care so you can take a break.
Make sure the person you are caring for has told you their wishes for their end-of-life care in the event you are asked to make decisions for them. It is important for you to talk about issues including thoughts about potential life-prolonging treatments.
Advance directives are tools that enable people to write down their preferences on a legal form and appoint someone to speak for them if they are no longer able to speak for themselves. A living will, health care power of attorney, financial power of attorney and a plan for funeral arrangements can help ensure peace of mind for you and your loved one. Your hospice tem can help you with these important tasks.
