The time after receiving a serious or life-limiting medical diagnosis can be difficult for patients and families. But palliative care services can help make these moments more comfortable and less frightening by filling in the gaps general medical care doesn’t always cover.
Palliative care services are provided by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other specialists. These providers offer medical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their family members as they seek treatment for their illnesses. Like many other people, palliative care patients often prefer to continue living at home for as long as possible while receiving care. In-home palliative care services help make that goal a reality without sacrificing a person’s quality of life or safety.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care treats patients with serious illnesses by alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and reducing stress. While the goals of palliative care are similar to those of hospice care, palliative care patients can seek care at any stage of their illness and continue receiving curative treatments.
While the palliative care team handles medical, spiritual, and emotional support tasks, in-home caregivers can fit seamlessly into the continuum of care by assisting with any of the following services:
Personal Care
Living with a serious illness can create many additional needs in your day-to-day life. If palliative care patients need help with bathing, grooming, toileting, or keeping track of daily medications, an in-home caregiver can provide invaluable support.
Delicious Meals
Continuing to eat fulfilling meals can bring palliative care patients a lot of joy. An in-home caregiver can assist with shopping, meal preparation, and cleanup so patients can enjoy delicious and nourishing meals without any extra headaches.
Mobility Support
If a palliative care patient faces a loss of mobility after a diagnosis, they don’t have to be stuck at home. An in-home caregiver can help them get around the house safely and provide transportation so they can continue participating in the things they love.
Companionship
One of the most critical aspects of in-home palliative care is providing emotional support and companionship during a difficult time. In-home caregivers can do so much for people by simply being present in their lives.
The Benefits of In-Home Palliative Care
Science supports the benefits that in-home palliative care can offer. According to a recent study, “A growing literature base supports the benefits of home-based palliative care for patients, families, and informal caregivers by alleviating symptoms, reducing unwanted hospitalizations, and offering support at the end of life.”
Here are a few of the specific benefits that in-home palliative care can provide.
Individualized Care
When patients work one-on-one with an in-home caregiver, every moment of care they receive is personally tailored to their needs. Unlike a one-size-fits-all model typically found in facility living, patients sit down with their caregivers at the beginning of their contract to create a detailed, individualized plan outlining their needs and priorities. They can ensure they click with their caregiver from the start to build a profound and positive relationship. Every step of the way, in-home care maintains the personal touch.
Remaining Comfortable at Home
Patients deserve to spend their days where and how they want to. In-home palliative care strives to help patients remain at home while receiving treatment, avoid hospitalizations, and maintain a high quality of life.
Cost Effective
Compared to facility living or expensive, avoidable hospitalizations, in-home palliative care can help patients manage their symptoms while also managing their finances. Many people find in-home care to fit in comfortably with their budgets compared to other options.
Make the Most of Your Time
A serious medical diagnosis often comes with a host of additional tasks and stressors that are entirely separate from the underlying illness. In-home palliative care helps patients shoulder the weight of their diagnosis, creating a continuum of care that keeps them comfortable and pain-free as they focus on their treatment and the people they love. An in-home caregiver can help patients minimize stress and discomfort to ensure they enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
About Generations Home Care
Generations Home Care personalized in-home care and support services help those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, living with a chronic disease, or dealing with the natural process of aging. We help people live a fuller, healthier, and independent life.
Our caregivers are trained in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended COVID-19 safety precautions. We offer levels of care ranging from companionship, to respite for the primary family caregiver, to homemaking services, to assistance with activities of daily living, to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Generations Home Care takes a holistic approach and emphasizes a consistent, client-centered plan of care.
Our Specialty Services Include:
- Rehab or hospital-to-home programs for safe discharge.
- Short-term post-operative care during recovery periods.
- Non-medical life management services for people with chronic conditions.
- Veteran’s connection to care program.
- Live-in services and couples care.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today at 602-595-HOME (4663) or by filling out the contact form on our website.
