End of Life Care In Alameda City, California
Physical, emotional and social needs are all addressed in end-of-life care. It enables people who are nearing the end of their lives to make the most of the time they have left.
What Is End Of Life Care?
Support, therapy and care for persons who are nearing the end of their lives are referred to as end-of-life care. It usually comprises the following things in order to help you live as well as possible for the rest of your life
- Discussing and making preparations for how you want to be cared for at the end of your life, such as where you want to die and your medical preferences — Advance care planning is the term for this.
- Taking care of any bodily symptoms, such as pain alleviation
- You and your family will receive emotional support.
- Assistance in determining what to expect as you approach the end of your life
- Assistance in dying with dignity
End-of-life care can also include assistance with practical matters like writing a will & seeking financial assistance for your care needs or preparing your own funeral.
Your care team will focus on ensuring that you have the best possible quality of life for the time you have left after end-of-life care begins, rather than attempting to cure you of any major illness.
When Does End Of Life Care Begin?
End-of-life care should begin as soon as you require it and last for a few days, months or even years. It is dependent on your requirements and the extent of your health problems.
People are generally thought to be nearing the end of their lives when they are expected to die within the next 12 months. This category includes people who:
- are on the verge of passing away
- having an incurable condition that has progressed to the point of becoming incurable, such as cancer, dementia or motor neuron disease
- have pre-existing diseases that put them at risk of dying as a result of a sudden health crisis caused by their illness
- had been in a car accident, had a stroke or had another life-threatening incident
When it comes to end-of-life care, your healthcare team will make the decision. If you are unable to speak for yourself, they will do so in conversation with you or people close to you.
Doctors may decide to stop any medical therapies that are no longer effective after end-of-life care begins. They should, however, continue to monitor your condition on a frequent basis, looking for evidence that you are stabilizing or healing, even if just momentarily
Where Can End Of Life Care Be Delivered?
End-of-life care can be provided at home, in a care home, in a hospital or in a hospice depending on your requirements and preferences.
The majority of people say they would prefer to die at home, according to the Office for National Statistics’ most current research (National Survey of Bereaved People (VOICES)). In actuality, about half of all elderly persons die in hospitals. This is disappointing for some people and their loved ones and it represents a frustrating lack of choice when it comes to end-of-life care. Others, however, may find that dying in hospital is the best option in the end due to the nature and progression of their sickness, as well as the degree of care provided at home.
If you have specific intentions for how you want to be cared for towards the end of life, the best approach to ensure that your wishes are honored is to discuss them with your doctor and people closest to you ahead of time. They can assist you in evaluating your options and determining how and where to obtain the help you require.
Who Is Responsible For Providing End-Of-Life Care?
Depending on an individual’s needs, a variety of health and social care experts may be involved in end-of-life care including health and care workers, such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists while others will work for social services, independent hospices or charities.
Your Physician will be in charge of your care whether you’re at home or in a care facility. Community nurses are frequently involved as well as family and friends may also be involved.
In the field of health, improving care for persons nearing the end of their lives is becoming increasingly crucial.
Five Top Priorities For End-Of-Life Care
The healthcare experts recommend that the staff caring for you follow the following priorities for care in the final days and hours of life, regardless of where you are cared for.
- A doctor should evaluate you on a regular basis and if they suspect you are dying, they should tell you and your loved ones.
- Healthcare professionals should communicate with you and those close to you in a caring and honest manner.
- If you choose to be, you should be involved in any choices about your care.
- Your family’s and other close relatives’ needs should be satisfied as much as possible.
- A customized care plan should be developed, taking into account your choices and carried out with compassion.
Is End-Of-Life Care Possible At Home?
Consider these crucial concerns before arranging at home end-of-life care for yourself or a loved one:
- What kind of help can you get from friends or family?
- What kind of assistance do you need to stay independent, such as aid, getting dressed, using the toilet or eating?
- Is your home suited for a hospital bed; for example, do you have enough space for one?
- What changes you may need to make to it, such as adapting the bathroom or obtaining particular equipment?
- Will you require nursing care and specialized palliative care to ensure your comfort and meet any other requirements?
Who Can Provide Support At Home?
There is a lot of help available if you chose to spend the rest of your time at home. Social services, family and friend care, a Physician, district nurse or community-based palliative care services are generally involved.
Physicians & Basic Care Providers
Your Physician is in charge of your entire health. They can tell you about the services and resources available in your region. They can also arrange for you to be visited at home by community nurses.
Community nurses can help you organize and coordinate home care while also assisting you in obtaining the other services you require. This includes introducing you to local services and other organizations that may be able to assist you such as local charities. They’ll communicate frequently with others who are involved in your care, such as the community palliative care team or the local hospice.
Community Palliative Care Team
A dedicated palliative care team that brings together a variety of professionals to help you retain the highest possible quality of life in the days ahead. They’ll do the following:
- help with pain and symptom management
- provide practical and emotional assistance and your caregivers can arrange for or provide nursing or personal care if necessary. Some teams provide nurse care around the clock.
They can also do the following:
- plan for your admission to a hospital or a hospice to receive assistance in managing your symptoms.
- Arrange for respite care to give your caregivers a rest.
Hospices
Hospices give care and support to those who are suffering from an incurable illness, allowing them to live as completely as possible for as long as they have left. They assist with symptom management and pain management, as well as emotional, practical, psychological and spiritual requirements. This involves looking after your family and caregivers throughout your illness and bereavement process.
Their services are accessible at home or in their day facility and they also offer short stays to help with symptom management and pain treatment, as well as to give your caregivers a rest.
Physiotherapists & Occupational Therapists
A physiotherapist or occupational therapist may also be engaged. They assist you in being as self-sufficient as possible. A physiotherapist, for example, may assist with walking or breathing, while an occupational therapist may advise on how to adapt your home to changes and what equipment you may require.
Social Services
Another significant source of information is the social services department of your local government. If you require assistance in caring for yourself, they should arrange for a free care needs evaluation. This will assist you in determining what assistance you require at home and how to receive it. This could involve the following:
- assistance with washing or dressing from a caregiver.
- Meals can be delivered to your home.
- Grab rails, additional stair rails and other specialized equipment are examples of adaptations.
- They should also advise you on how to arrange for care and whether you are eligible for any financial assistance.
Charities
People nearing the end of their lives, as well as their caregivers, receive a lot of help from charities. There are many charities who operate as part of a palliative care team and there are charities which offer additional services, such as:
- Hospice care which is a type of care that is provided to people
- Help lines which can be reached by phone or email.
- People with certain illnesses might join support groups.
- Caregivers receive assistance.
- Services that provide information and assistance, such as information on benefits and how to apply for them.
- You can borrow or buy specialized equipment.
- Activities and respite care are available at day centers.
- To and from medical appointments, transportation is provided.
- Volunteers who will pay you a visit or even provide hands-on assistance, such as shopping and taking care of pets
It’s challenging for everyone concerned to care for someone who is nearing the end of their life. Despite the fact that no two deaths are the same, you may still be prepared to offer the best possible support.
Melodia Care can provide individuals with the care they require in the place of their choice, as well as end-of-life care and effective communication. Allow us to help you care for your loved ones by offering all of the necessary support.
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.