<!–[CDATA[It’s a common misconception that seniors who call an independent living or an assisted living community home can’t take advantage of hospice services. Many people think that this end-of-life care option is only available for adults who live in a private house or at an in-patient hospice care center.
The truth is hospice providers in Indiana can deliver care and services in whatever setting the patient calls home. It might be their private residence, an adult child’s home or a senior living community they reside in. This type of care allows the senior to remain in their own comfortable, familiar environment.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice is a special type of care provided to people with a life-limiting illness. It’s typically provided at the end-of-life. Hospice care is covered by Medicare and other private insurances. Some not-for-profit providers also care for those without coverage regardless of their ability to pay.
A hospice team is made up of a number of important members, including:
- Social workers and spiritual counselors to support you and your family.
- Home health aides who will assist your aging loved one with personal care needs.
- An on-call nurse who is available 24 hours a day for any emergency that comes up.
- Volunteers to provide support and companionship to patients and caregivers.
- A physician to oversee the patient’s plan of care.
The goal of hospice care is to optimize each patient’s comfort level and focus on the quality of life. This type of treatment does not try to find a cure for your loved one’s illness.
How Does My Aging Loved One Receive Hospice Care in an Assisted Living Community?
Seniors that live in assisted living community and need end-of-life care do not need to leave the apartment they call home. In fact, according to the Assisted Living Federation of America, nearly one-third of seniors in a senior living community receive hospice care in their apartments.
If you’re considering helping your loved one move into a community like Five Star Senior Living, you can have peace of mind knowing your family will be able to work with a hospice provider of your choice if the need arises.