Hospice care focuses on proving comfort measures and maintaining dignity to those who are facing end-of-life situations. In addition to doctors, nurses, and certified nursing assistants, hospice service providers typically include social workers, volunteers, clergy, counselors, nutritionists, and pharmacists. Here are some things to consider about hospice care if your loved one has end-stage Alzheimer's disease.
When To Make The Decision
It can be difficult to determine the extent of a person's Alzheimer's disease and whether or not they have entered into its end stages. Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia can take years before it is considered end-stage. Only your loved one's primary care physician can determine if they are appropriate candidates for end-of-life caregiving services. There may be, however, certain tell-tale signs that Alzheimer's disease has progressed to its end stages.
Your loved one with Alzheimer's disease may benefit from end-of-life caregiving services if they become non-verbal, if they are no longer able to walk, if they are bed-bound, or if they become totally dependent on other people for their activities of daily living including bathing, eating, and dressing. In addition, if the person with Alzheimer's disease experiences severe bouts of anxiety, agitation, or combativeness, it may mean that their disease is progressing rapidly and nearing end-stage status.
Hospice Services For Alzheimer's Patients
As your loved one's Alzheimer's progresses, they may be unable to express their needs. Hospice service providers can implement a plan of care to address the patient's pain, nutrition, and behavioral symptoms such as agitation and anxiety, hydration, and skincare.
The service providers can care for your loved one in the patient's home, in a nursing home, or in an assisted living community and provide "come and go" care or around-the-clock services. In addition, the patient and their family's spiritual and emotional needs will also be assessed and addressed.
The Alzheimer's patient's plan of care will be based on the recommendations of the primary care physician, neurologist, social worker, nutritionist, and if requested by the family, members of the clergy.
If your loved one is struggling with end-stage Alzheimer's disease and you want to learn more about hospice services, call an end-of-life services provider like one at Aria Hospice. They can answer your questions pertaining to the hospice medical care, psycho-social care, spiritual needs, and comfort measures they provide so that you will have all the information you need to make the most appropriate choice for you and your loved one.
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