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Can a Girlfriend Arrange Hospice Care at Home?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Understanding Hospice Care
Hospice care serves as a specialized form of health care that provides comfort for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. It enhances the quality of life for patients and their families by managing symptoms, addressing emotional and spiritual needs and creating a peaceful end-of-life experience. Primary caregivers can also take a break by letting others offer respite care. In-home hospice care allows patients to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment while receiving compassionate and holistic support from a team of health care professionals. This includes nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains and volunteers.
The Role of a Health Care Proxy
Arranging Hospice Care at Home
The process to arrange hospice care at home involves contacting a hospice agency and providing payment, then coordinating with health care providers to communicate the patient’s preferences. The girlfriend, acting as the health care proxy, works closely with hospice staff to assess the patient’s needs and develop a personalized care plan. This plan may include pain management, symptom control, emotional support and assistance with activities of daily living.
The girlfriend should communicate openly with her partner, family members and health care providers throughout the process to include everyone involved in making decisions. By working collaboratively with the hospice team and other stakeholders, she helps create a supportive and dignified end-of-life experience for her partner at home.