Harbor Light Hospice

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When to Consider Hospice Care for Cancer Patients

September 30, 2019

a woman looking into when to consider hospice care for cancer patientsWhen a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, they, their family members, and their caregivers must make many difficult decisions. One of them is likely if and when to start hospice care. With the goal of making a person more comfortable as they face the last months of their lives, hospice care is a valuable tool that can help patients and families alike obtain a higher quality of life. In this article, learn more about hospice care for cancer patients and find out when you should consider enrolling in hospice care.

Hospice Care for Cancer Patients

Hospice care for people with cancer is similar to hospice for other illnesses, but focuses more specifically on relieving the symptoms and other aspects unique to cancer. In addition to providing any medication and equipment needed to help maintain a cancer patient’s quality of life, hospice care for cancer patients also includes a dedicated support team of individuals trained to support those under cancer care.

A hospice nurse will visit your loved one’s home or assisted living facility on a regular basis to help them manage pain and other symptoms of cancer, including fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, and constipation. This helps your loved one retain their ability to participate in day to day activities. A certified home health aide will also be on hand to help your loved one with any activities that have become too difficult to do alone, including personal hygiene tasks, meal prep, and light cleaning.

The team will also include non-medical support, as well. Hospice care social workers, for example, will help your family manage its dynamics, finances, emotions, and paperwork, including advance directives, as necessary. They can also connect you to additional resources that can make your experience a little bit easier to manage. Hospice volunteers will also be available to provide your loved one with companionship, while spiritual support counselors can offer prayer and guidance throughout the difficult experience.

When to Consider Hospice Care

a woman that already started to consider hospice care for cancer patientsHospice care is typically offered when a person with a life limiting illness like cancer has six months or less to live. For cancer patients, one or more additional criteria must be met. If your loved one has unintentionally lost a significant amount of weight, needs help with the basic tasks of daily living, or has a serious medical condition in addition to cancer that may shorten their survival, they will qualify for hospice care. The stage and severity of the cancer can also be a factor. If it has spread beyond the initial site or enters a more advanced stage despite treatments to cure or slow it, hospice care may be recommended.

In addition to medical reasons for starting hospice care, your loved one’s own wishes to stop curative treatment or remain out of the hospital if the disease gets worse can qualify them for hospice. Speak to your loved one early on to create a plan of action should their condition get worse. From there, the hospice care team will work to quickly expedite the hospice care enrollment process so that your loved one gets the services they need if and when hospice becomes necessary.

Benefits of Hospice Care

Hospice care has been shown to dramatically improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Patients typically experience improved mental health and pain and symptom relief, allowing them to enjoy spending time with their families, and even participate in everyday activities. Hospice care can also provide a much needed social outlet, allowing patients to interact with people in therapy groups and other activities for cancer patients and giving them a chance to connect with people outside the home. Through hospice care, cancer patients are able to retain their independence and comfort, helping them feel more like themselves as they transition through this stage of life.

For families, hospice care gives them access to a valuable source of information and specialized knowledge. Your loved one’s care team can answer your questions, introduce you to new care methods, and communicate with doctors on your behalf to achieve the best care possible. The team can also connect you with counselors, support groups, and other resources for family members if necessary. Finally, hospice care serves as a form of respite care for many families. Primary caregivers often have jobs, children, and additional responsibilities that they must balance with their loved one’s care, and allowing a hospice team to take on some of that care can free up time to catch up on many of these tasks.

Securing Hospice Care Services

older woman happy she was able to consider hospice care for cancer patientsSpeak to Harbor Light Hospice for more information about when to consider hospice care services for your loved one. Harbor Light provides hospice services for cancer patients in the comfort of their own home or assisted living facility and creates customized care plans for each person. Teams of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and home health aides, work alongside volunteers, counselors, and family members to enact these plans and provide a high level of care for as long as necessary.

Filed Under: Hospice Care

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  • Hospice Care
    ▶
    • When To Start Hospice
    • How To Pay For Hospice
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Talking To Physicians About Hospice
    • Support For Patient Family Members
    • Caring For Veterans
    • Volunteering For Hospice
    • Medical Treatment During Hospice
  • Conditions Cared For
    ▶
    • ALS
    • Cancer
    • Dementia and Alzheimers
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV/AIDs
    • Kidney Failure/Renal Failure
    • Lung Disease
    • Neurological Diseases
  • Areas Served
    ▶
    • Illinois
      ▶
      • Decatur, IL
      • East Peoria, IL
      • Galesburg, IL
      • Winfield, IL
    • Indiana
      ▶
      • Merrillville/Crown Point, IN
      • Indianapolis, IN
      • Mishawaka/South Bend, IN
    • Nebraska
      ▶
      • Lincoln, NE
    • Ohio
      ▶
      • Akron, OH
      • Cleveland, OH
      • Youngstown, OH
    • Oregon
      ▶
      • Portland, OR
      • Salem, OR
    • Virginia
      ▶
      • Glen Allen, VA
      • Newport News, VA
  • Resources
    ▶
    • Advance Care Planning
      ▶
      • Advance Directives For Cancer Patients
      • Advance Directives For COPD Patients
      • Advance Directives for Dementia Patients
      • Advance Directives For Patients With Heart Failure
      • Advance Directives Overview
      • Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
      • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
      • Do Not Intubate (DNI) Order
      • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
      • Medical Power of Attorney
      • What is a Living Will?
    • Caregiving
      ▶
      • Being Safe at Home
      • Caring For Individuals In Pain
      • Organizational Tips for Caregivers
      • Providing Care
      • Supporting the Caregiver
      • The Dying Process
    • COVID-19
      ▶
      • How to Avoid Burnout
      • How to Balance Work and Life
      • The Importance of Self-Care
      • Tips to Reduce Stress at Work
    • Grief and Loss
      ▶
      • Helping Children Cope With Grief
      • A Guide For Grieving Parents
      • Experiencing Grief
      • Supporting Someone Who is Grieving
      • Talking to Loved Ones About End-of-Life
    • Hospice Patients Resources
      ▶
      • Living During End of life
      • Talking To Children About Death
      • Talking About Your Illness
    • Pain Management
      ▶
      • Generic Drugs
      • Myths About Pain
      • Pain Management Frequently Asked Questions
      • Prescription Pain Relievers
      • Relieving Pain Without Medication
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