Understanding End Of Life Care
No one wants to think about the end of their life, or the end of a loved one’s life, but death is a part of life and end of life care offers support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. End of life care allows people to live as well as they can until they pass on—and to pass on with dignity. Those who provide this type of care ask the person who is dying about their preferences and wishes, and then follow those with the care plan. They also support family members, caregivers, and the people around the one going through the end of their life. This type of care can take place in a number of locations, but many people wish to remain in their own home.
Who Provides This Care?
A variety of people can provide end of life care, including health and social care professionals. IT all depends on your needs and what’s going on around the person’s health. Sometimes, a nurse is necessary to maintain prescriptions, medications, and comfort. Other times, a caregiver is plenty to keep the person comfortable in their own home. Palliative care is often a part of end of life care. This type of care manages pain and keeps a person comfortable during the end of their life. That might mean medication or other therapies to treat a certain condition. Palliative care usually comes from healthcare professionals or even specialists in the palliative field.
When Does End Of Life Care Begin?
End of life care doesn’t have a set time or date. IT begins when the person needs it and can last for a few days, several weeks, months, or even years. People in many different situations need this type of care and there’s no time frame on it. Some are expected to only have days and hold on for weeks while others pass on quickly. It is a good idea to consider this type of care for a person who is likely to die within the next year. If an illness is advanced, the person has a life-threatening illness, they are in pain, or the family members can’t care for them on their own, it’s best to look into the process as soon as possible.
Finding End Of Life Care
One of the hardest parts about seeing someone you love with a life-threatening condition is doing whatever you can to help them while they are still here. Getting the right end of life care for them can be a wonderful final gift to them. Once you know they are in good hands, you no longer have to worry about their physical needs. Instead, you can enjoy the quality time you have with them, holding their hand, talking about fond memories, and looking over picture books. If you need end of life care for a loved one, contact Agility Health to go over the details that might be necessary within your family.
