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Five Signs it May Be Time for End of Life Care

End of Life Care Bowman SC-When your elderly family member is near the end of her life, so many changes may be happening at once. There’s no right answer for exactly when to bring in end of life care, but this information can help.
End of Life Care Bowman SC - Five Signs it May Be Time for End-of-life Care
End of Life Care Bowman SC - Five Signs it May Be Time for End-of-life Care

When your elderly family member is near the end of her life, so many changes may be happening at once. Having help there to guide you and your senior through the experiences she’s having can help so very much. Here are some of the signs it might be time to think about end of life care services.

Her Symptoms Are Getting More Difficult to Manage Without End of Life Care Providers

Symptom management is a huge indicator that your senior may need more help than she currently has. And if she’s dealing with chronic health issues, those worsening symptoms can mean that she’s closer to the end of her life than either of you might fully realize. Properly managing symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety can help your senior to have a much better quality of life.

Your Senior Is in the Hospital a Lot More Often

Some health conditions may cause your elderly family member to end up in the hospital a lot more often than she did before. Illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and COPD often make it a lot more difficult for your senior to be as healthy as she wants to be. End of life care can help her to stay at home and still get the care that she needs, which is a lot less disruptive for her than a hospital stay.

She’s Experiencing More Trouble Maintaining Her Weight

Near the end of her life, your senior may find it difficult to eat or lack appetite entirely. This can cause her to lose weight without trying. Your senior may also still be eating, but find that health conditions, medications, and other treatments are having such a significant impact on her body that she’s losing weight. Having end of life care there with her can help to ensure that she’s still getting the nutrients that she needs.

She’s More Restless or Confused than She Has Been

Confusion and restlessness can be signs that your elderly family member is closer to the end of her life and that she’s in need of specialized care. End of life care providers understand that your senior is at a delicate time in her life and may not fully realize what’s going on around her. They can help her to feel calm and supported, even if she’s not entirely sure what her situation is.

Your Senior No Longer Wants to Undergo More Aggressive Treatments and Wants End of Life Care Services

End of Life Care Bowman SC - Five Signs it May Be Time for End-of-life Care
End of Life Care Bowman SC – Five Signs it May Be Time for End-of-life Care

When your elderly family member has tried all of the curative therapies that she can, she may decide that’s enough. Leaving behind aggressive treatments doesn’t mean that your senior no longer needs help. What it can mean is that she’s got more opportunities to embrace treatment methods that help to ease her symptoms and truly address what is keeping her from having the best possible situation at the end of her life.

Having the right care at the end of your senior’s life ensures that she’s in a better place physically and emotionally, but it also helps you and other family members. It’s difficult to care for someone who is near the end of their life, so having someone there who can handle the hands-on needs your senior has can be a huge relief.

If you or your aging loved one could benefit from End of Life Care Services in Bowman SC, contact the caring staff at Grove Park Hospice, at (803)536-6644.

Providing Hospice & Palliative Care in Orangeburg, Bamberg, & Calhoun Counties

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