Hospice Care
When a loved one is in need of hospice care this can be a tremendously stressful and emotional time for all individuals involved. Maintaining the patients wishes and level of physical comfort are just as important as maintaining the level of stability and support of the loved ones around them.
Our Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical nurses and certified nursing assistants are all well trained to provide kind and compassionate care while preserving the dignity of the patient. Our nurses work side-by-side with the hospice care professionals to maximize the comfort and level of care your loved ones receive. Our caregivers work to develop a personalized care plan to address the patient’s individual needs as well as the needs of surrounding loved ones.
We provide hospice care and assistence throughout all hospice care facilities in Palm Beach County; as well as providing at-home hospice care services throughout South Florida. For a complete list of hospice facilities we work with please visit our resources section.
How to Care for an Elderly Parent With a Terminal Illness
No matter how old you are, it’s still difficult to think about losing a parent. If your elderly parent has a terminal illness, you know that they may not be with you very long, but don’t want to let them go. This is also a very difficult time for your parent too, so it’s important to provide them with all of your support. Here are some tips to care for an elderly parent with a terminal illness:
Ask Your Parent What They Want
Even if you think you know what’s best for your parent, you have to let them decide what they want to do with the time they have left. If you try to push your wants on you parent, it could cause resentment. For example, your parent may prefer to stay at home in their final days instead of at a hospital. If this is the case, you may want to look into hiring a hospice nurse to come to your parent’s home to help out.
Talk About the Good Times
While this is a very sad time in both of your lives, you can still talk about the good times to spark some joy. Share some of your favorite memories with one another and look through old photo albums. Reminiscing about happy times can help put a smile back on your parent’s face. If you parent is strong enough, consider visiting one of their favorite places.
Listen to Your Parent’s Concerns
If your elderly parent was diagnosed with a terminal illness, they likely have many different thoughts and worries running through their head. Your parent needs someone to listen to their concerns. While it can feel uncomfortable at times, you shouldn’t try to change the subject when your parent talks to you about their fears about dying. Listen carefully to your parent and offer words of encouragement.
Respect Your Parent’s Dignity
Your parent may need a lot of extra care right now, but that doesn’t mean that their privacy isn’t important to them anymore. For example, if you have to help your parents with personal care, put a towel around them and only uncover one body part at a time. At Expicare Nursing, we understand the importance of privacy and make every effort we can to make your loved one comfortable.
Hiring an At-Home Nurse for Hospice Care
Taking care of a terminally ill parent is tough, especially if you have a full-time job and a family of your own. If you need additional help caring for your parent, you should think about hiring an at-home nurse for hospice care at Expicare Nursing. Our healthcare professionals can come to your parent’s home and assist with everything from administering medication to taking baths. Your parent can remain in the comfort of their own home and be well taken care of in their final days.
While caring for a terminally ill parent can be an emotionally excruciating time, following these tips can make things at least a little bit less painful. If you are considering hiring a healthcare professional for at-home hospice care, we encourage you to reach out to us at Expicare Nursing right away for support.