Hospice is designed to provide comfort, dignity, and specialized pain management for individuals. Choosing the right setting for this care can further support this purpose. Families can choose for care to be delivered in the comfort of home or in a dedicated residential community.
Navigating this decision requires a thoughtful evaluation of the individual’s medical needs, personal preferences, and the support structure available to the family.
Understanding the Core Purpose of Hospice Care
Hospice is an approach to care that emphasizes quality of life over curative treatment. The hospice team, typically including physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers, works to manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and ensure peace for the individual and the family. Once that foundation is understood, the choice of location becomes a matter of assessing which environment best facilitates that comprehensive support.
Considering In-home Hospice Care
For many, remaining at home is the most desired option. Being surrounded by familiar furnishings and established routines can provide immense emotional comfort during this time.
Key considerations for choosing in-home care:
- Familiarity and Routine: The individual stays in their own bed, maintains a sense of independence, and remains fully immersed in the environment they know best.
- Family-Feel: Home provides an intimate atmosphere and the memories from the space can spark deep, meaningful conversations for families.
- Medical Equipment Needs: The hospice team collaborates closely with families to bring in necessary medical equipment, such as hospital beds or oxygen tanks. The living space is altered to make sure the environment is set up to deliver the right care.
- On-Call Assistance: The hospice team is on call ensures expert guidance, regular skilled visits, and the reassurance that clinical assistance is always available when needed.
Considering On-site Residential Hospice Care
On-site residential hospice care provides a dedicated, specialized environment for this time. This option is often chosen when an individual’s symptoms require a higher level of medical management or when the family’s caregiver needs exceed what can be comfortably managed at home.
Key considerations for choosing onsite care:
- A Designated, Supportive Environment: These settings are specifically designed to feel homelike while being medically equipped. Often, there is a dedicated space for family gatherings and privacy.
- Focus on Family Time: Family members can focus entirely on spending quality time with their loved one, connecting, and creating special moments. This aligns with the focus on love and presence during this time.
- 24/7 Professional Medical Care: Specialized hospice nurses and aides are on the premises around the clock, allowing for immediate response to changes in condition or pain management needs.
- Access to Interdisciplinary Team: The entire hospice team (social workers, chaplains, dietitians, etc.) is integrated and readily available to the individual and the family for seamless support.
Finding Compassionate Care in St. Louis
Both in-home and on-site hospice care models are centered on providing the highest possible quality of life. The ideal choice is a personal decision based on which setting offers the best balance of medical support, emotional comfort, and relief for the family.
For families considering hospice care, Friendship Village offers both in-home care and on-site residential care at our communities in Sunset Hills and Chesterfield. We are here to provide guidance and resources to ensure the right path is chosen. Learn more about hospice care from Friendship Village.