Understanding Hospice Care: The Benefits of Early Hospice Referral

June 16, 2023 | CC Young General

Has a member of your family been diagnosed with a terminal illness? It’s a heart-wrenching situation, and naturally, your utmost desire is to provide them with as much love, support, and comfort as possible.

There are times when conventional treatments might do more harm than good, causing the person you love more discomfort and distress. In such trying times, it’s important to know that there are other pathways of care – such as hospice care. Hospice care is an embodiment of compassionate, loving, and nurturing support, specifically tailored to those confronting a terminal illness.

At CC Young, we understand the emotional decisions you and your loved ones must make. Our mission is to ease this journey with an interdisciplinary approach aimed at optimizing the quality of life. By incorporating soothing therapies such as aroma, massage, music, and pet therapy along with an experienced team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains we work to bring wellbeing to your loved one’s life.

With an understanding of hospice care you will be better equipped to make timely decisions that are in the best interest and wishes of your family member. Here are a few reasons why starting hospice care earlier rather than later can be an excellent choice.

Improved Quality of Life

From day one, an interdisciplinary team of experts will work closely with your loved one and family to create a personalized plan of care, which includes, symptom management, and palliative care, so patients can live as fully as possible.

Reduced Hospitalization Rates

Hospice care for people living with a life-limiting condition helps families and their loved ones be in control of their medical care. Hospice is a patient-centered approach that allows the person and their family to ultimately have the care THEY want, such as remaining at home versus going to the hospital by controlling symptoms with medications and our highly skilled staff in the comfort of their home.

CC Young Hospice listens to and honors the wishes of our patients and their families Those in our care, report feeling less stressed and anxious, while surrounded by an experienced and caring medical professionals Hospice care has resulted in fewer hospitalizations. Only 24% of patients in hospice care were hospitalized in the last 30 days of life, compared to 44% of non-hospice patients, according to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine.

 If additional assistance is needed or it becomes too much for the family to handle, we offer General Inpatient Hospice (GIP) where we provide symptom management in a home-like environment With this level of care we are able to keep people comfortable while still allowing the them to be surrounded by loving family and friends.

Enhanced Family Support

At CC Young, our focus is to extend support to the entire family. We understand the transformative power and pivotal role families have played – and continue to play – in taking care of their loved ones. However, it can lead to burnout as family members can feel physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Our care team provides e a supportive and nurturing environment for the entire family to help reduce caretaker fatigue and stress. Throughout the entirety of care, and even after passing, our patients’ families continue to receive emotional and spiritual support.

The burden can be lifted off caregivers’ shoulders. One of our team members, Jennifer Broadway, Hospice Administrator, recently had her husband on hospice and used the General Inpatient Hospice care at CC Young. Thanks to preparation and support from our expert doctors, nurses, and chaplain, she was able to take off her hospice administrator hat and be a wife and mother. As her husband’s medical needs were being taken care of, she was able to support her children and allow them all to grieve. The team created a supportive environment so the family could spend time together surrounding her husband with loving support.

Your relationship with CC Young does not end after death occurs. Because we understand how debilitating the grieving process can be, we offer 13 months or more of hospice bereavement support for family members. Through support groups, bereavement visits and phone calls, we help families process grief, and provide them with tools to handle this part of life’s journey.

Conclusion

Studies have shown patients who enroll in hospice earlier in their disease process actually live longer than those who do not. Hospice care honoring the person’s wishes and goals. can provide the gift of extra days of life for many reasons, one being the ability to stay in the comfort of their own home and receive compassionate care allows the person time to find meaning in life and the opportunity to connect more deeply with loved ones.  

If you think hospice and palliative care would benefit someone you know, contact CC Young Hospice for a consultation. We have an experienced team of medical professionals who can answer your questions and assist them with daily living and taking care of their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. We are here to support and nurture your loved one so their time with us and you are filled with peace.

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