home caregiver comforting senior man on Hospice

If you ask people who are within the last six months of their lives what is most important to them, you are likely to hear answers such as:

  • Maintaining control over which services will likely be provided
  • To be free from pain
  • Emotional and spiritual support
  • To remain at home

In-home hospice care meets all of these needs and much more, particularly when combined with non-medical in-home care services, like those offered by Absolute Companion Care. Together, hospice and home care providers can ensure physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs are all addressed, according to the care recipient’s final wishes.

Hospice and Home Care Meet Physical Needs

Towards the end of a person’s life, fatigue, pain, digestive issues, difficulty with breathing, seizures, skin irritation, and other forms of physical distress may occur. It is essential to know how to read the individual’s nonverbal cues and take steps to help relieve symptoms. A hospice nurse will provide medical relief, while an in-home care provider can:

  • Help the person take part in relaxation techniques such as soft music, aromatherapy, reading aloud in a relaxing voice, etc.
  • Provide engaging distractions, such as playing cards or a game together, working on a memory book project, or looking through photo albums
  • Offer companionship to let the person know she or he is not alone

Additionally, the care team will pay close attention to the individual’s skin. Dry skin and pressure sores are not unusual, and may be eased through consistent repositioning, using lip balm to soothe dry lips and ice chips if the inside of the mouth is dry, and ensuring skin stays clean and moisturized.

Hospice and Home Care Meet Spiritual/Emotional Needs

Being there to listen to whatever the person wishes to say or discuss can be a significant comfort. A caregiver is there for just as much or as little time as needed to permit the person to share any thoughts and feelings nonjudgmentally. Our caregivers understand the importance of never correcting or disagreeing with the person, or attempting to change his/her thoughts or feelings in any respect. The hospice provider and in-home caregiver will also honor and respect the person’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and help provide whatever brings the person comfort.

Hospice and Home Care Meet Practical Needs

Alleviating the burden of simple, daily tasks is an exceptionally important service for families. It frees up valuable time for them to spend with the person receiving hospice care. Depending on the family’s wishes, our caregivers can help with:

  • Light housekeeping and laundry services
  • Preparing meals
  • Running errands
  • Personal hygiene care, such as bathing/showering or bed baths, hair and oral care, incontinence care, and much more

If someone you love is receiving hospice or palliative care, contact Absolute Companion Care at 410-357-9640 for a free in-home consultation. We’re here to answer questions any time, and also to share more about how our home and dementia care in Towson, MD and nearby areas can enhance quality of life for the person in need of care, and for you, too.