Hospice may be exactly what your family member needs, but the idea can be a little scary for both of you. Unfamiliar situations can be intimidating unless you can find some way to prepare a little bit. These tips can help you to do that.
Hospice Care in Holly Hill SC: Preparing for the First Visits from HospiceWrite out a List of Questions.
Chances are very good that there’s a lot you’re uncertain about. This is a new stage in your family member’s care and you may not have much experience in this area at all. Sit down with a piece of paper and write down all the questions that you have. Don’t worry about censoring yourself or whether your questions are “silly” or not. None of the questions that you have are silly because this is a new experience for you.
Have Another List of Symptoms and Issues Ready.
While you’re brainstorming, take out another piece of paper and start making another list of the problems and issues your family member is facing. Write down all of the symptoms that she’s experiencing, even if they seem like small ones. This can help you and your family member’s hospice care team to get on the same page very quickly.
Share Other Information with Hospice Care Providers.
There’s a lot more to know about your family member than just her illness and they’re helping to treat your family member as a whole person. If you have time, consider putting together some information about who your senior is and what she enjoys. This can help new hospice providers to get to know your family member a little bit better.
Work out a Plan for Going Forward.
When the care providers arrive, it’s time to get to work. Let them know what your questions and concerns are and continue to ask questions until you understand. You’ll be able to work together to put a plan together for the weeks and months to come. That plan may need changes, too, depending on how your family member’s needs change over time. Regular meetings can help you and your family member’s care team to work together.
As you become more accustomed to what hospice care can do for both you and your family member, you may find that you have different questions and concerns. You can use the same process to have those situations addressed and you’ll likely be working with some of the same providers to help you work through what is happening.
If you or your aging loved one could benefit from Hospice Care in Holly Hill, SC, contact the caring staff at Grove Park Hospice, (803) 536-6644
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