End-of-Life Care

When a loved one has a limited life expectancy due to a terminal illness or other cause, they often require non-medical care to improve their quality of life and well-being during their final days, weeks, or months. It focuses on ensuring they are comfortable and not in pain during their final days. In many cases, day-to-day personal care responsibilities fall on the shoulders of family and friends.

Sometimes, it is too difficult for relatives and close friends to manage the physical and emotional demands on their own. Professional end-of-life care services are a shared resource — and Visiting Angels can help.

Non-medical care can occur at home, in a hospital, or a specialized hospice facility, depending on the individual's needs and wishes.

End-of-life care helps people facing serious illnesses by managing symptoms and providing support, aiming to improve their quality of life during their final stages.

Hospice is a type of end-of-life care that focuses on comfort and dignity for patients with terminal conditions. It is often delivered at home or in a hospice facility. Unlike general end-of-life care, hospice doesn't pursue treatments to cure the illness. Instead, it focuses on easing pain and supporting emotional needs during the final stages of life.

Through a specialized coordination-of-care system, Visiting Angels works closely with hospice providers, shares care goals, and communicates about an older adult’s condition.

Yes, our caregivers receive non-medical care training on the stages of death and dying, which helps us support you and your family. They receive training on what to do if an older adult passes away while under their care. This comprehensive training outlines specific protocols and enables them to respond compassionately while helping the family through the next steps.

Our caregivers serve as “eyes and ears” for families and will keep a watchful eye for changes that warrant intervention beyond non-medical attention. In-home assistance can also reduce “caregiver burnout.” A professional caregiver will take on difficult care tasks, complete day-to-day errands and chores, and provide you with respite when you need a break.

Helpful resource: How Non-Medical End-of-Life Care Can Help Seniors & Families

Each of us, regardless of our health, should communicate our end-of-life wishes with our family. The best time is before a terminal illness is diagnosed. If your senior is approaching the end-of-life stage, our care coordinators can meet during a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your loved one’s personal care needs.