Hospice Defined: When Do I Need It?
Hospice occurs when you are unable or no longer want to continue treatment for a life-limiting illness.
At its most basic, hospice is defined as physical, spiritual and emotional support for people with a life-limiting illness. Generally, a doctor must give you a life expectancy of six months or less to live. Care occurs wherever you live so you can be comfortable and surrounded by loved ones.
Here is what you need to know about hospice and the difference it can make for you.
Anyone with a life-limiting illness may benefit from hospice. Those illnesses include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Lung disease
- Liver disease
- Neurological disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Typically, doctors recommend entering hospice if you:
- Are unable to care for yourself independently
- Cannot walk or move on your own
- Visit the hospital frequently
- Have incontinence
Hospice helps you add more life to the days you have left.
Hospice is not just for the final days and weeks of life. The sooner you begin hospice, the longer you can benefit. After starting hospice services, our team will help you and your loved ones embrace the time you have together. That may mean spending more time with your children or grandchildren, enjoying the outdoors, or enriching your spirituality.
Hospice focuses on easing symptoms — and much more.
With hospice, our board-certified physician medical director, nurses and aides primarily focus on controlling symptoms, such as pain and fatigue, so you remain as comfortable as possible. But that's only part of the hospice team's mission.
Home health aides assist with personal tasks, such as bathing and dressing. Social workers connect you and your family and/or caregivers with helpful community resources. Finally, our chaplains provide spiritual support.
Caregivers and loved ones benefit from hospice, too.
Caring for a loved one with complex medical, social and emotional needs can be overwhelming. Our skilled providers and other professionals can help ease the burden of care and respond to calls or questions at any hour of the day or night.
Baptist Hospice volunteers provide respite care. They can sit with you and allow your caregivers to run errands or take time for themselves. We also offer grief support to family members that continues for more than a year after a loved one's passing.
Call Baptist Hospice today at (334) 747-5000 to discuss how hospice can help you and your loved ones navigate a life-limiting illness.