What to Expect Emotionally During Hospice Care
There are moments in life that feel hard to put into words. Beginning hospice care is certainly one of them.
You may feel a sense of relief knowing there is now a team to help. At the same time, there can be sadness, uncertainty, even guilt for wondering if this is the “right” step. For the person receiving care, emotions can shift just as much, sometimes day to day, sometimes hour to hour. It helps to pause for a moment and learn what to expect emotionally during hospice care – for yourself and the person you love.
Why Emotions Can Feel So Intense During Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on comfort rather than cure. That shift alone can bring a wave of emotions. For some, it’s the realization that time may be limited. For others, it’s the weight of decisions that led to this point. There may be relief that treatments and hospital visits are no longer the focus, but also grief for what has changed.
What the Hospice Care Patient May Be Feeling
Every person experiences this stage differently, but there are some common emotional responses.
You might notice:
- Periods of reflection or looking back on life
- A desire for quiet or more time alone
- Moments of fear or uncertainty
- A need for reassurance or comfort
- A focus on relationships, conversations, or unfinished thoughts
Some days, they may feel calm and accepting. Other days may cause more emotional turmoil. These shifts are a natural part of the process.
One thing that often stands out is the importance of presence. Sitting together, holding a hand, or simply being nearby can bring more comfort than trying to find the right words.
What Family Members Often Experience
If you’re supporting someone through hospice care, your emotions may feel just as layered. It’s common to experience:
- Anticipatory grief, mourning while still caring
- Guilt about past decisions or wishing things were different
- Uncertainty about what to say or do
- A deep desire to make every moment count
- Emotional exhaustion from balancing everything
There may also be unexpected moments of peace, connection, and even gratitude for the time being shared. It’s a multifaceted experience, and there is no “right” way to feel.
The Emotional Support Hospice Provides
One of the most meaningful parts of hospice care is the emotional and spiritual support that comes alongside medical care. Our hospice team includes:
- Nurses who provide comfort-focused care and guidance
- Social workers who help navigate emotional and practical concerns
- Chaplains for those who want spiritual support
- Bereavement support to help both before and after a loss
We’re not here just to manage symptoms, but to walk alongside you through the emotional side of the journey as well.
How to Support Someone You Love During This Time
You don’t have to have the perfect words or the perfect plan. Some of the most meaningful ways to support your loved one include:
- Being present. Sitting quietly together can be enough.
- Listening more than you speak. Let conversations unfold naturally.
- Sharing memories. Talking about meaningful moments can bring comfort and connection.
- Allowing space for emotions. Tears, laughter, silence; all of it belongs.
- Accepting help. Let our hospice team support both of you.
Giving Yourself Permission to Feel What You Feel
One of the hardest parts of hospice care is not trying to control the emotions that come with it. There may be days when you feel strong, and others when everything feels overwhelming. Both are part of the process.
You’re allowed to feel sadness. You’re allowed to feel relief. You’re allowed to feel unsure.
Find Out More About How We Can Help
Hospice care is designed to support the whole person, and that includes the people who care about them. If you’re entering this stage, having the right team beside you can make a huge difference, not only in comfort and care, but in how supported you feel emotionally each step of the way.
At Harmony Home Health and Hospice, our hospice team provides compassionate, expert care focused on comfort, dignity, and emotional support for both patients and families. If you have questions or want to better understand what to expect with hospice care for someone you love in Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, or anywhere else in Central New Mexico or Northern Utah, give us a call at 877-I-NEED-CARE. We’ll be glad to listen, answer all of your questions, and help guide you through the next step.
Navigating End-of-Life Changes in Appetite
Understanding end-of-life changes in appetite can help you focus on what matters most – your loved one’s comfort.
As a loved one approaches the end of life, it’s natural to feel that every moment spent together is precious. However, one of the more distressing changes you may observe is end-of-life changes in appetite, which can include declining interest in food and drink. It can be painful to watch them refuse nourishment, leaving you feeling powerless and unsure of what to do. By understanding why these changes occur and shifting your focus to comfort rather than nutrition, you can help make this difficult time more bearable for both you and the person you love. The goal now is to ensure their final days are as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
Why End-of-Life Appetite Changes Occur
At the end of life, the body goes through significant changes. As metabolism slows, the need for calories and nutrients decreases, and the person may lose interest in eating or drinking. Difficulty swallowing, caused by a decline in physical function, can make it harder for them to eat. Additionally, medications or the illness itself may reduce their appetite and affect digestion. These changes are a natural part of the dying process, signaling that the body no longer requires the same level of sustenance as before.
The Emotional Impact on Family Members
Watching someone you love stop eating can be one of the hardest things to experience. Many people associate food with love, nurturing, and care, so it’s only natural to feel a sense of helplessness or guilt when a loved one no longer wants to eat. You may worry that they are suffering or uncomfortable, even though they may not feel hunger in the same way they used to. It’s important to remind yourself that these changes are a normal part of the dying process and that your focus should now shift to their comfort.
Shifting Focus to Comfort
When it becomes clear that your loved one can no longer eat or drink adequately, your goal should be to provide them with comfort. Here are a few ways to help ensure their comfort during this time:
- Mouth Care: Keep their lips and mouth moist with a damp sponge or swab to prevent dryness and cracking, which can be uncomfortable.
- Favorite Tastes: If they are able to swallow, offering small sips or tastes of their favorite foods or drinks can bring some enjoyment and comfort.
- Positioning: Make sure they are in a comfortable position that allows them to sit up slightly, which can make swallowing easier if they choose to eat or drink.
- Gentle Touch: Sometimes, simply sitting with the person and offering a gentle touch can provide the reassurance and comfort they need.
Deciding on Artificial Feeding
The decision to use artificial feeding methods, such as feeding tubes or IV nutrition, is a complex and personal one. There are several factors to consider when making this decision:
- Quality of Life: Will artificial feeding improve their comfort or quality of life? In many cases, it may not and could lead to additional discomfort or complications.
- Consulting Medical Professionals: Speak with the healthcare team to weigh the benefits and risks of artificial feeding in your loved one’s specific situation.
- Honoring Their Wishes: Be sure to respect any advance directives or previously expressed wishes about end-of-life care.
- Less Intervention, More Comfort: Sometimes, reducing interventions can allow for more comfort. Forcing food and drink can lead to bloating, nausea, or even respiratory problems.
Providing Compassionate Care
Allowing your loved one to eat or drink as much or as little as they choose – or not at all – is often the most compassionate choice. Focus on ensuring they are comfortable, surrounded by loved ones, and in a peaceful environment where they can find solace.
Seeking Support
You don’t have to face this difficult time alone. Hospice care professionals, like Harmony Home Health & Hospice, can offer guidance and help fill in the gaps, allowing you to focus on spending meaningful time with the person you love.
Serving Salt Lake City, Ogden, Albuquerque, and surrounding areas in Central New Mexico and Northern Utah, we are here for you whenever you need us. Contact us online or call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.
Recognizing the Final Stages of Alzheimer’s: What Families Need to Know
Our caregivers offer insight into the final stages of Alzheimer’s and how families can find comfort and support.
Caring for someone at the end of life is an incredibly personal journey, and when Alzheimer’s is part of that journey, it can add a layer of complexity. Unlike other terminal conditions, the progression of dementia is unpredictable, requiring flexibility and sensitivity in care.
Signs That End-of-Life Is Near in Dementia
In many illnesses, the end-of-life stage comes with clear signs, like changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and social interactions, which typically occur two to four months before passing. However, the final stages of Alzheimer’s may appear far earlier, making it difficult to determine when end-of-life is near. Here are some indicators:
- Social Withdrawal: Withdrawing from social interactions is common in dementia, but when this becomes more pronounced, combined with other signs, it may indicate the final stages.
- Significant Changes in Eating: One of the clearest signals of end-of-life is when a person refuses food or struggles with eating.
- Prolonged Sleep: It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to sleep more in the later stages, and this increase in rest often precedes other end-of-life signs.
Making the Transition Easier for a Loved One
Once you recognize that your loved one is approaching the end of life, you can take important steps to make this time more peaceful and meaningful. Here’s what you can do:
- Involve Hospice Care Early: Getting hospice care involved sooner rather than later provides access to resources, support, and specialized care focused on comfort.
- Provide Gentle Physical Comfort: Keep an eye on signs of discomfort and address them with gentle measures like soft blankets, soothing touches, and frequent repositioning. Work with the hospice team to manage pain as needed.
- Celebrate Special Moments: Even at the end of life, there can be moments of joy. Celebrating small victories and treasured moments can help you make the most of the time you have left.
- Keep a Routine: Maintaining a sense of normalcy by sticking to familiar routines can help reduce anxiety and create a calming environment.
- Create a Calm Atmosphere: Soft lighting, peaceful music, and familiar objects can help the person feel more at ease.
How Harmony Home Health & Hospice Can Assist
At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, we are dedicated to ensuring that a loved one with dementia receives the best possible care during their final days. Here’s how we can help:
- In-Home Hospice: Our team provides compassionate hospice care to ensure a smooth, coordinated care plan that meets all the person’s needs.
- Pain Management: As part of our hospice care services, our team assists with pain management to ensure loved ones are as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
- Companionship and Emotional Support: We offer companionship for your loved one, helping alleviate loneliness, while also providing emotional support to your family.
We understand how difficult this time is for families, and we’re here to help. Our compassionate caregivers are ready to support you in every way possible. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) or reach out to us online to learn more about our hospice and home health care services in Albuquerque, Ogden, Tooele, and the surrounding areas in Central New Mexico and Northern Utah.
Tips for Supporting a Loved One with Cancer
Supporting a loved one with cancer doesn’t have to be complicated.
A diagnosis of cancer is life-changing, and it’s crucial for someone receiving this diagnosis to have a strong network of support. When a family member is undergoing cancer treatment, you might not be sure how to help them while maintaining appropriate boundaries. What are the best ways for supporting a loved one with cancer? Our caregiving team has some helpful ideas to get you started. Read more
Answers to Your Top Questions About Home Health Care
Our most frequently asked questions about home health care are answered here.
As we discussed in a previous blog post, moving from home to an assisted living facility is not always necessary, thanks to professional home health care services. If you’ve started searching for the ideal solution for a senior you love, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and have a number of questions: Is home health care an option for Dad? Will Medicare cover the cost? Are there other ways to pay for care?
At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, we answer questions such as these all the time, and we’ve put together the following list of answers to our most frequently asked questions to assist you in your search for exceptional home health and hospice care in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.
- Does my aging parent qualify for home health care or hospice services? Home health care services provided by Harmony Home Health & Hospice are available to anyone at any time. We offer a free in-home assessment to meet the senior in need of care and to develop a personalized care plan to outline how we can help.
- Does Medicare cover home health care costs? Medicare provides health insurance coverage through the U.S. government for seniors over age 65, covering skilled nursing care services when certain conditions are met. It does not usually cover help with daily living activities like showering, dressing and grooming. If you’re unsure whether Medicare will cover the services you need, give us a call at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322).
- What options are available to pay for care at home? If Medicare is not an option for covering the cost for the care services needed, there are a variety of other options, such as retirement savings, pensions, life insurance policies and long-term care insurance. Our home health care experts are here to help you understand your options to ensure you have access to the high quality care your loved one needs and deserves.
For more answers to common questions about home health care and hospice care, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
We’d love to talk with you about how our exceptional home health in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas can improve the life of a senior you love, right in the comfort of home. Contact us online any time or call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to request a complimentary in-home consultation. We’re available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at your convenience to answer your questions about our senior and pediatric home health services.
Advance Directives Provide Peace of Mind
Advance directives provide peace of mind for families.
Our lives are unpredictable. And though an advance health care directive can be something we want to put off, thinking about end-of-life decisions today can help provide peace of mind that your values and preferences about your medical care will be heard in the future. Additionally, it will ease the burden of decision-making on your loved ones.
Advance directives consist of the following documents:
- Living will. This written, legal document outlines the types of health care procedures and life-sustaining actions a patient would or would not prefer, including mechanical breathing (respiration and ventilation), tube feeding or resuscitation.
- Health care power of attorney (POA). The health care POA is a legal document that specifies an individual to make health care choices on the patient’s behalf if the patient is unable to do so independently. (This is different from a power of attorney which designates someone to make financial transactions.) An Authorization to Release Protected Healthcare Information form may also be required.
An advance health care directive offers a definitive statement concerning your choice to prolong your life or to withhold or withdraw treatment, and should be developed by all individuals aged 18 or over; so if you haven’t yet given consideration to your desires, there’s no better time than now to assess your preferences and to make sure they’re clearly and legally documented. It’s vital to note as well that an advance health care directive can be changed at any time if your preferences should ever change.
Although you are not obligated to find legal advice to develop an advance directive, it may well be a good idea to do so to guarantee that the ultimate guidelines for your wishes are stated properly.
When your loved ones are aware of your preferences for treatment, they can dedicate their energy to providing necessary care and compassion, without concern over legal issues.
Harmony Home Health & Hospice is always available to help older adults in any way needed to ensure their preferences are attained, both now and in the future. We provide a variety of customized in-home health care services and hospice care in Albuquerque & nearby communities to ensure life is the best it can be.
Whether the need is for support with nursing care needs, skilled care for Alzheimer’s, or speech therapy needs, our professional care staff can assist based on each individual’s specific needs and desired schedule. Email or call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn more about our home health care and hospice in Albuquerque and the surrounding communities.
Learn How Palliative Care Helps Improve Quality of Life
Palliative care helps individuals with chronic health conditions improve quality of life.
What is the first thing that comes to the front of your mind when you hear the phrase “palliative care?” For many people, it’s associated with hospice care. The actual goal of palliative care, though, is to give relief from difficulties like pain, vomiting and nausea that are caused by either a medical condition or from the treatment for that ailment. Sometimes this does come about at the end of life.
Dr. Eric Widera, who practices palliative care at the University of California, San Francisco, points out, “We hear this all the time: ‘They’re not ready for palliative care,’ as if it’s a stage people have to accept, as opposed to something that should be a routine part of care.”
And though similar to hospice care, this type of care concentrates on bettering quality of life, it’s worthwhile at any stage in a patient’s ailment for symptom management and could be used in tandem with curative treatments.
Studies are illustrating a plethora of advantages for patients and their families who decide to use palliative care, including notably higher scores on quality of life assessments, less prevalence of depression and emergency room visits, and even longer survival rates.
Harmony Home Health & Hospice is always here to expand upon this care for your loved one. We believe in providing care for the whole person, and our superior caregivers work vigilantly to improve the quality of life for each individual.
Call on Harmony Home Health & Hospice to determine how we can assist with improving quality of life for older individuals receiving either palliative or hospice care with our wide range of comprehensive in-home health care services. We offer an in-home consultation, during which we can create a plan of care to address particular concerns and challenges, offering solutions that bring comfort and security to older adults and peace of mind to those who love them.
Email or call us any time at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to learn about our hospice care in Albuquerque, NM and the surrounding communities, to let us know the challenges you’re facing, and to allow us to provide the support you need.
ALS Care Tips for Utah Family Caregivers
These ALS care tips can help family caregivers provide more effective care.
As a degenerating neurological disease, ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease) can cause a wide variety of physical obstacles that can result in clinical depression. For individuals providing ALS care for a loved one, it’s difficult not to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to help the person live life to the fullest and remain optimistic.
When providing ALS care in the home, it is important for family caregivers to understand the struggles that the disease produces in order to offer the absolute best care.
Harmony Home Health & Hospice, the top providers of home health care in Ogden, Utah, has developed the following advice to help ensure the best care for individuals diagnosed with ALS:
- People with muscle diseases such as ALS are proficient thinkers, even if they are generally unable to communicate clearly. Examine choices openly while making joint decisions about the individual’s ALS care.
- Ask if the person wants assistance before helping. Do not take over tasks that still can be performed if the person is provided with adaptive products and time.
- Patience is vital. Although it may often seem faster and more efficient to take over certain tasks, show patience and allow your loved one to accomplish the tasks that he/she can.
- Set up a computer and internet access. Computers, along with other assistive systems, offer entertainment and social interaction and make it possible for the person with muscle disease to help with tasks like paying bills, tracking down information, hiring services, and shopping.
- Use adaptive devices. The utilization of adaptive equipment like wheelchairs is a move in the direction of self-sufficiency, not away from it. Adaptive tools are obtainable for assorted everyday tasks, such as eating, opening jars and doors, buttoning or zipping up clothing, writing, and taking a shower.
For people with Lou Gehrig’s disease, self-reliance and exceptional ALS care are essential. The Ogden, Utah home health care experts at Harmony Home Health & Hospice are fully trained and experienced to provide the care and assistance needed to ensure people with ALS live their best lives. If you would like more information on our expert ALS care, contact us any time at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) and learn about our top-rated services in your area.
How to Help Overcome Senior Medication Non-Adherence
Senior medication non-adherence can be dangerous in older adults. These tips can help.
Medications can both improve and save lives, but there is a hidden danger that can lead to dire consequences — the risk of medication non-adherence.
Statistics show that as many as 125,000 people lose their lives each year as a result of prescription medication non-adherence, a number that’s twice as large as those who die from car accidents. And although many people assume they’re taking their medications correctly, medication adherence issues are actually quite common, including:
- Failing to fill a prescription for a recommended medication
- Skipping at least one dose
- Taking the wrong medication
- Taking too much of a prescribed medication
- Stopping a medication too soon
- Improper use of medical equipment like inhalers and syringes
- Taking damaged, expired, or improperly stored medications
Medication adherence can be especially dangerous among older adults, many of whom take multiple prescription medications. However, studies show that with the proper knowledge, motivation, and support, seniors can break through the obstacles to medication adherence. As a top-rated provider of home health and hospice, we’ve outlined some of the difficulties in sticking to a prescribed medication plan, and tips to overcome them:
Memory Problems: A leading difficulty in medication adherence among older adults is memory loss. Those with dementia or Alzheimer’s might forget to take their medications or may even take multiple doses, having forgotten that they had taken a dose already.
Tip: Make taking medicines a part of an already-established, everyday habit, utilizing medication dispensers and/or charts to stay organized.
Swallowing Problems: Some seniors struggle with swallowing pills, and as a result, may attempt to chew or crush medications, causing long-acting medicine to be released into the body too rapidly.
Tip: Ask the doctor or pharmacist if the medication is available in a liquid or small pill form that is easier to swallow.
Accessibility Problems: Many older adults have difficulty with transportation and/or ambulation, making it difficult to get to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions and refills.
Tip: Look into mail order prescriptions that are delivered to the home, or contact Harmony Home Health & Hospice for assistance.
Taking prescription medications correctly is crucial to seniors’ health. For help in ensuring senior medication adherence, contact Harmony Home Health & Hospice, a leading caregiver in Provo and the surrounding area.
