Emotional and Spiritual Care In Albany City, California
Typically, when people think of hospice care at the end of life, they envision nurses and aides providing physical care such as checking vital signs, administering medication, and bathing the patients. However, while those actions are critical, in hospice care, the entire patient is taken into consideration. There must be equal attention paid to the patient’s emotional and spiritual well-being.
The increase in the mortality rate of chronic diseases presents significant challenges to healthcare services and necessitates the development of innovative service solutions, including palliative and end-of-life care for a diverse range of patient populations. Providing high-quality care to patients with incurable illnesses and at the end of their lives is a delicate and demanding practice in which a balance must be struck between the opposing goals of extending life and alleviating suffering. Patients who do not meet the definition of “dying patients” as defined by the law are provided with pre-hospice care. A cancer nurse follows up with these patients and they have consultations with a palliative specialist about their care plan, which can take place in either a hospital or a home setting, depending on their circumstances.
Patients who meet the legal definition of “dying patients” are eligible to receive hospice care, as are their families (i.e., incurable medical condition with life expectancy of not more than 6 months). Hospice care can be provided in a hospital setting or at the patient’s residence. At least once a week, patients in home hospice receive visits from a multi-disciplinary team (physician, nurse, and social worker) who assist them with symptom management and pain relief, according to their preferences and wishes.
Hospice Emotional Care
Understandably, terminally ill patients may experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger as a result of their condition. Additionally, as patients reflect on their lives, they may discover that they have regrets about things they have said or done – or regrets about things they never got to say or do. All of this has the potential to significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life. Hospice social workers are specially trained to provide emotional support to patients in their final days of life, including working with them, listening to their stories, and addressing their concerns.
Families of patients can also receive emotional support from the hospital. Caregivers are experiencing their own feelings of sadness and anxiety as a result of the impending death of a loved one. They may also be filled with resentment and anger toward the situation or toward other members of their family. It is possible for tension within the family to cause a great deal of stress for those who are close to the patient. This can include everything from disappointments and disagreements to substance abuse issues. Family dynamics are well understood by Melodia care social workers, who can devise a plan to address any issues that may arise in the family.
Hospice Spiritual Care
Spiritual concerns are common among patients nearing the end of their lives, in addition to their emotional concerns. They may have doubts about their religious beliefs or be concerned about the consequences of decisions they have made in their lives. Chaplaincy services provided by Melodia care’s chaplains can provide comfort and address spiritual concerns during a hospice stay.
Veterans, in particular, frequently express regret for some of the decisions they made while on duty in combat situations. Some veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing the horrors of war. At the end of life, Melodia Care’s staff receives specialized training to assist Veterans who are experiencing emotional, psychological, and spiritual concerns.
Hospice Care For The Whole Patient
It is a fundamental tenet of hospice care that patients with terminal illnesses have their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs met as well. Melodia care’s team provides support for the patient’s mind, body, and soul, allowing them to make the most of each and every day that they are given.
Spiritual Practices And Rituals
Similarly, other spiritual interventions such as reading from scripture, singing sacred songs, or performing religious rituals fall into this category. When spiritual care is performed incorrectly, it has the potential to cause spiritual harm.
As a precaution, professional chaplains undergo extensive training and background checks to ensure that proper spiritual care is provided to all people, regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof.
To tell other hospice team members — many of whom are “called” to this work — that they are not permitted to pray or sing hymns with a patient, to say that they should pray with a patient who requests it, or that they would lose the respect and acceptance of the team, would be an absolute certainty.
Spiritual History Tools For Hospice Professionals
Nonetheless, a non-chaplain team member can provide intentional spiritual care, but this requires the use of a spiritual history tool, which is an easy-to-remember, short, patient-centered tool that obtains appropriate information relevant to the patient’s religious beliefs and practises.
The literature contains numerous such tools, including FICA, FAITH, SPIRIT, HOPE, and CSI-MEMO, to name a few examples. The acronym FACT is used to refer to the tool being discussed here, and it stands for the following:
F – Faith Beliefs, Spiritual Practices, or a Combination
A – Active (and/or Availability, Accessibility, Applicability)
C – Coping (and/or Comfort); Conflict (or Concern)
T – Treatment Plan
Developing effective skills in the use of this tool ensures that all members of the hospice team will be able to provide intentional spiritual care if and when it is required or requested, and that the care provided will be patient-centered and will contribute to the patient’s recovery. The first step in intentional spiritual care is to obtain a spiritual history, which helps to maintain the ethical boundaries between personal religion and professional practice.
Supporting Their Spiritual Needs
Encourage them to rely on their religious or spiritual beliefs if they are religious or spiritual. This is a time for them to reflect on their values and beliefs, and they can take comfort in the knowledge that better days are ahead. Some patients may be conflicted about their religious beliefs as well. Encourage them to speak with their spiritual advisor or clergy in order to work through any negative feelings they may be experiencing, or to participate in a religious tradition that they find meaningful and worth following. Your patient may also find value in their relationships with others and how they will be remembered by those around them. Consider expressing your thoughts or encouraging family members and friends to do so on your behalf. By addressing your patient’s spiritual needs, you can help them feel more uplifted and optimistic about the end of their life.
Supporting Emotional Needs
Hospice is a difficult time for your patient on an emotional level. They may be enraged, depressed, resigned, or even at peace with the prospect of what lies ahead. Simply listening to them and being present can be enough to provide emotional support to them. Even your physical presence can be a source of relaxation. A person’s anxiety, sadness, and anger can be released when they are given the opportunity to express themselves, leading to more positive feelings about this stage of their life cycle. If you can tell they are upset or depressed but they refuse to speak, offer gentle encouragement but don’t press them, or inquire whether they would like to speak with a social worker or counsellor.
Saying goodbye is an important part of a person’s final days on this planet and can aid them in finding peace. Identify whether your patient would like assistance in making arrangements for family and friends to visit or call in order to assist them in saying their final goodbyes. Some patients may prefer something more tangible, such as a video or a letter that can be kept forever in their possession. Others who enter hospice with sufficient energy may wish to host a celebration of their lives. It is critical to understand and support your patient’s needs and desires, regardless of how they choose to say goodbye. Having a positive attitude toward their farewell can help them feel more optimistic and at ease with the end of their lives.
Identify the person with whom your patient feels they need to make amends and ask if they would like you to set up a meeting or phone call with them so they can express their feelings. Knowing that there is only a limited amount of time left can make it easier for patients, their family members, and friends to express their regrets. Making amends can help a patient clear their conscience, allowing them to feel more positive about their situation.
Supporting The Patient’s Family
The emotions of a patient’s family can have an impact on how your patient feels. As a result, it is critical that you assist family members in addressing their emotional and spiritual needs as well, whether through counselling or the guidance of a spiritual advisor. Remember that everyone grieves in their own way, and you may even have to remind your patient of this if there is a family member whose negative feelings are still unresolved and are having an impact on your patient’s wellbeing.
When a person’s life comes to an end, it can be a sad time, but it can also be a time of reflection and special moments. It is possible to help your patient feel more positive about this stage of their life cycle by addressing their spiritual and emotional needs. Furthermore, by assisting the family, you can help to ensure that the patient has the most positive experience possible with hospice.
You can reach us at any time by contacting us through our 24/7 online customer support chat or by calling 1-888 635-6347 (MELODI-7) & Melodia Care Hospice.