How Caregiving Changes When Hospice Care Begins

The role of a family caregiver undergoes a significant and supportive transformation when a loved one enters hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide comfort and increased quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. For caregivers, this means a shift from managing every detail alone to becoming part of a compassionate and professional team.

Understanding how responsibilities will change can ease this transition. The focus in hospice moves from curative treatments to comfort-oriented care, allowing caregivers to concentrate on spending meaningful time with their loved one.

When hospice care begins, caregivers can expect changes in four key areas:

• Medical Support: A professional team helps manage medical care and symptoms.
• Equipment and Supplies: Hospice provides necessary medical equipment and hygiene items.
• Team Involvement: Families gain an interdisciplinary team of support.
• Caregiver Support: Hospice offers resources to support caregivers’ well-being.

At Shiloh Hospice, we have helped numerous families through this transition. Our team is here to help you understand what lies ahead so you can feel prepared for the changes yet to come.

Enhanced Medical Support

Before hospice, caregivers often manage complex medical tasks like administering medications and coordinating doctor appointments. When hospice begins, a specialized medical team starts helping with these responsibilities.

This team, including a physician and skilled nurses, emphasizes managing pain and symptoms to ensure the patient’s comfort. They typically handle medication administration and are available 24/7 for urgent needs. This allows caregivers to focus more on providing emotional comfort rather than managing medical care.

Equipment and Supplies Provided

Another significant change is that hospice provides all necessary durable medical equipment and supplies. Previously, caregivers may have been responsible for finding and purchasing items like a hospital bed, walkers, oxygen equipment or incontinence supplies.

Hospice care assesses the patient’s needs and often arranges for the delivery and setup of all required equipment. This not only relieves a financial burden but also removes the logistical stress of sourcing these essential items.

An Interdisciplinary Team on Your Side

Caregiving can feel isolating. With hospice, caregivers are no longer alone. An entire interdisciplinary team becomes part of the support system. This team typically includes:

• A hospice physician
• A registered nurse
• A medical social worker
• A spiritual support chaplain

Each member offers specialized support for both the patient and the family. A social worker can help with emotional challenges and practical planning, while a hospice nurse can assist patients with personal care like bathing and dressing. This comprehensive network ensures all needs, from physical to emotional and spiritual, are met.

Dedicated Support for the Caregiver

Hospice care recognizes that the well-being of the caregiver is crucial. This journey can be emotionally and physically taxing, and hospice provides resources for support.

Hospice services like respite care offer short-term relief. This grants caregivers time and space to rest and attend to their own needs, trusting that their loved one is in professional, caring hands. Grief and bereavement counseling is also available to help families face the complex emotions that arise during this time.

Let Us Be Your Fountain of Support

Starting hospice care is more than just a shift toward a more supported and collaborative caregiving experience. It allows caregivers to transition from being the sole provider of care to being a cherished family member, focused on creating moments of peace and meaningful connection with their loved one.

At Shiloh Hospice, we understand how important this journey is, and we’re here to provide the compassionate support you and your loved one deserve. If you’re considering the transition into hospice care in the greater Chicago area, contact us today. Let our team support you and your family every step of the way.