When a loved one is approaching the ending stages of life and enters hospice, it's crucial to focus on cherishing your final moments together without any distractions.

Visiting Angels can help by offering invaluable non-medical hospice support and compassionate care during this challenging time. Our dedicated caregivers provide a range of supportive services, such as personal care assistance, to ensure your senior is safe, comfortable, and at ease. They can serve as your “eyes and ears” when you can’t be physically present with your loved one to monitor for any changes or concerns that warrant medical attention.

Here are three areas of service we can offer during hospice care—tailored to the guidelines of the hospital or hospice facility.

1. Essential Non-Medical Services

Providing comfort and dignity is essential for seniors, especially during hospice care. Non-medical services can improve quality of life and well-being during your loved one’s final days. Getting assistance for their day-to-day needs can also reduce your stress as a family caregiver.

Our professional caregivers are experienced in working with seniors and families during end-of-life care. We will help by offering:

• Personal care, such as bathing and self-care
• Transitioning help to comfortable sitting or bedrest positions
• Watchful monitoring of any signs of pain or discomfort that could be relieved by comfort care

Related reading: Gentleness Is Important to Personal Care

2. Extra Hands Behind the Scenes

Keeping a loved one’s home environment comfortable and safe during a terminal illness can feel overwhelming. It’s understandable to seek help with daily responsibilities at home so you can cherish your remaining time together.

We can assist with:

• Grocery shopping
• Light housekeeping, such as laundry
• Meal preparation
• Picking up medications
• Respite care

Related reading: Why Every Family Needs a Respite Care Plan

3. Comforting Care for Family Well-Being

While we do not provide medical services, our professional caregivers can enhance your loved one’s well-being. We practice a soothing and supportive philosophy of care with services such as:

• Emotional support
  Taking measures to reduce anxiety, confusion, and agitation in patients with dementia or providing a comforting presence in the home overnight.
  
  
• Social support
  Providing companionship to reduce feelings of isolation and facilitating communication (in-person, phone, or virtual) with loved ones.
  
  
• Spiritual support
  Offering technical assistance for worship services or helping with access to faith-based resources, such as literature or online articles.

Our palliative care approaches every senior with dignity and respect.

Related reading: Why Your Senior Loved One Deserves More Than Task Management Care

Customized Care Plans for Every Need

Our care plans are adaptive and flexible. We know your loved one’s needs may change, and we’ll adjust care as requested. Our personalized services are available on a short-term and long-term basis. We also offer 24-hour care.

Whether your loved one lives their remaining time at home, in a nursing home, hospital, or hospice facility, our dedicated caregivers can offer a helping hand and a compassionate shoulder to lean on.

Contact us to learn more about how Visiting Angels can support your senior during hospice care.