Hospice Care for Dementia Patients

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Last Updated on May 30, 2021 by Frank Davis

It is reported that dementia patients who get hospice have a better pain control, are less likely to die in a hospital setting, and have families who are more satisfied with the care they receive. In hospice care, one of the main goals is to have pain and symptoms controlled as best as possible. We believe that by relieving our patients’ pain and symptoms as much as possible we will be ensuring a better quality of life for them. As an example, some of the symptoms which we treat are as follows:

• restlessness and confusion
• Pain
• Fear
• Depression
• Altered nutrition

Patients as well as their families and caregivers could benefit greatly from hospice care, as it can limit these transitions between healthcare providers and improve quality of life. In addition to offering family caregivers the needed support near the end of life, hospice care helps them cope with their grief, both before and after their family member passes away, regardless of whether it is provided at home or in a facility.

When to Seek Hospice Care for Dementia

Dementia is a progressive disease that develops slowly and can sometimes be unpredictable. Because people, who suffer from dementia, are prone to decline so slowly, their family members may wait until their loved ones are close to the end of their lives before they seek help. The truth is that many people are not aware that assistance and specialized care might have been available a lot earlier. Some experts suggest that a person with Alzheimer’s disease may begin to exhibit the following behaviors when they reach the end of the disease:

• Anxiety and stress are constant
• Lack of mobility
• Challenges communicating
• Assistance with most daily activities (ADLs)
• Difficulties swallowing

Hospice Care Services for Patients with Dementia

Medicare, Medicaid, and any other health insurance may cover 100% of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients’ care and treatment costs, enabling your loved one to cope with the late stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with dignity and respect. We have an interdisciplinary team of professionals which consists of doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, home health aides, and volunteers. The team assists in physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Here are a couple of the services we offer:

• Nursing services: In hospice, a patient is assigned to a nurse case manager, who typically visits the patient every two to three days. In addition, hospice patients and their caregivers can reach an on-call nurse at any time of day or night.
• Physician participation: Often, a hospice patient is cared for and monitored by the patient’s regular physician, in cooperation with the hospice physician.
• Medical social services: The patients are assigned a social worker who assists them in managing their physical, psychological, and/or social needs.
• Counseling services: In order to provide patients and/or their caregivers with the best possible care, hospice organizations may provide dietary services, as needed; pastoral guidance; and counseling for bereaved families and caregivers following the patient’s death.
• Home-health aide: Aides can provide a broad range of non-medical home care services, and they usually visit from two to three times a week.
• Medication: It is typical for hospice to cover most or all of the medications that are related to the hospice diagnosis, as well as those that aim to control or lessen pain and symptoms.
• Medical equipment: It is the responsibility of hospice to provide the necessary equipment to ensure a safe, comfortable, and caring environment at the patient’s home. For example, these supplies may include a hospital bed, a wheelchair, and oxygen, as well as adult diapers, bandages, and latex gloves.
• Respite care: There are situations where temporary and short-term assistance is needed in order to ensure caregivers don’t suffer burnout and to avoid extreme stress.
• Therapists: Depending on the needs of the patient, hospice may arrange for a physical, occupational or speech therapy therapist to provide assistance.

Our hospice care team is here to assist you and your family if you are looking for hospice care for a person who has dementia. Our nurses will work with you to develop a nursing care plan that fits your individual requirements. We are dedicated to providing dignity, compassion, and comfort for every person who is treated at our hospice. The first thing we do is to make sure that the patient, caregiver, and family are taken care of in the best possible way. To find out more, call our office at (747) 755-5181 to speak with one of our representatives.