Hospice and In-Home Cancer Care
These days, advances in science have allowed many to win their battle with cancer. Unfortunately, however, this isn’t always the case – especially with the most aggressive forms of the disease. Hence, it becomes necessary to address the needs and wishes of the pleural mesothelioma patient as they enter the final stages of their life.
Often times, a patient will express the wish that they die at home. While family and friends will no doubt do everything they can to make this happen, sometimes spending one’s last days at home just isn’t in the cards for a number of different reasons. For others, however, in-home care at the end of life is indeed a possibility and can be achieved with some advance planning.
Hospice Care
Usually, a person is said to be in the end stages of cancer when it is determined that they have six months or less time remaining to live. Usually, symptoms of the disease have progressed and doctors note that there is no hope for a cure or even a long-term remission. The main concentration shifts from treatments and getting better to making the patient as comfortable as possible by controlling the symptoms of the disease, especially pain.
At this point, many people choose to seek out hospice care. Hospice is a wonderful concept that concentrates on palliative care, and hospice workers can also help prepare the patient – and their family and friends – for the inevitable. Hospice can take place in a designated facility but many people choose to have hospice care at home. This allows them to remain in familiar surroundings with people they love.
Mesothelioma patients sometimes have well-meaning loved ones that try to care for them on their own. While this might work in the early to middle stages of cancer, it becomes extremely difficult for an individual who isn’t medically trained to care for an end-stage cancer patient. To avoid being overwhelmed, personal caregivers should seek help for the months prior to their loved one’s death. If this is not an option, however, family caregivers can be trained to do what is necessary to keep a loved one comfortable. Seek out a hospital social worker for more information about training to care for an end-stage cancer patient.
In-Home Care
The best place to turn for suggestions for professional in-home caregivers is the hospital where the patient is being treated. Social workers are on hand to assist with such tasks and they know which in-home care companies are good at what they do. Often, the patient’s oncologist can also make specific suggestions in regards to companies or individuals that other cancer patients’ families have used in the past. You may also find that a number of organizations, like the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, have websites that can assist you in finding a reputable local caregiver.
In many cases, an individual’s personal health insurance may cover some of the costs for in-home care, including hospice. However, all plans differ so it’s necessary to check with your insurance provider for details. For older Americans, Medicare may also assume some of the costs for this type of care. In addition, those on Medicaid may qualify for assistance with at-home care as well. Veterans, especially those whose cancer is service-related, may also be eligible to receive free home care services from the VA. Check with your local Veterans Administration office for details.
About In-Home Care Services
If you’re fortunate enough to have access to 24-hour in-home professional care for your loved one with end-stage asbestos cancer, you’ll find that the care providers will handle most of the aspects of the patient’s care. This includes administering pain medication, assisting with personal hygiene, and feeding the patient.
That’s not to say, however, that family members and friends aren’t a vital part of the dying process. The patient chooses to stay at home so that he can be near loved ones. Therefore, interaction with the sick individual is essential. The patient may seek comfort from those with whom they are closest or, when able, may want to have a conversation about the past or even the future. Sometimes, just knowing a loved one is in the same room is enough.
Often, the end of life for a cancer patient with an aggressive form of the disease, such as mesothelioma, can be quite difficult. Because this asbestos-caused disease is usually diagnosed when it reaches Stage 3 or 4, it may seem that the end comes quickly. For loved ones, the shock of watching their friend or family member decline so rapidly can be difficult. However, with the patient at home, this is a good opportunity to spend time together and studies show that those who die at home tend to suffer less psychologically, making death a more peaceful process.
Source
National Association for Homecare and Hospice
www.nahc.org
