The Role of Hospices in Prolonging Life Expectancy and Improving Quality of Life for Terminal Illness Patients

by Shanto | Jan 5, 2023 | Hospice

Janie was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and was given only a few months to live. As she struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis, her doctor suggested that she consider hospice care to manage her symptoms and provide emotional support, including a hospice life expectancy plan to help her understand and prepare for the end of life process.

At first, Janie was hesitant to pursue hospice care. She had always been an independent person and the thought of receiving specialized care made her feel like she was giving up. But as her cancer progressed and her symptoms became more difficult to manage, Janie realized that she needed help.

That’s when she met Mary, a hospice nurse who would visit Janie at home twice a week. Mary helped Janie manage her pain, provided emotional support, and helped her and her family make the most of their remaining time together.

But there was one problem: Janie’s insurance company was refusing to cover the cost of her hospice care. Despite her terminal diagnosis, the insurance company claimed that Janie was not eligible for hospice benefits.

As Janie struggled to pay for her care out of pocket, she began to wonder: Is it fair for insurance companies to deny coverage to terminal illness patients who need hospice care? How can we ensure that everyone has access to the comfort and support that hospice care provides, regardless of their financial circumstances?

Through hospice care, Janie was able to live her remaining months in comfort and with a sense of peace. And while hospice care wasn’t a cure for her cancer, it did play a vital role in prolonging her life expectancy and improving her overall quality of life.

What is Hospice care?

Hospice is specialized medical care that provides comfort and support to people in the final stages of a terminal illness. It includes symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance, and is provided by a team of healthcare professionals. Hospice is not a cure, but rather aims to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.

The Goals of Hospice Care: Comfort and Support for Final Journey.

If you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, you may be wondering what options are available for managing your symptoms and providing emotional support. That’s where hospice care comes in.

Hospice care is a type of specialized medical care that focuses on providing comfort and support to people who are in the final stages of a terminal illness. Our team of healthcare professionals includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, and we offer symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. While we cannot cure your illness, we can provide comfort and support as you navigate your final journey.

At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, our goals for hospice care are to:

• Alleviate pain and other symptoms so you can live your remaining days as comfortably as possible
• Provide emotional and spiritual support to you and your family, helping you make the most of your remaining time together
• Offer care in a comfortable and familiar setting, whether that’s in your home or in one of our hospice facilities

We believe that everyone deserves to live their remaining days with comfort and dignity. That’s why we offer hospice care in the patient’s home or in a hospice facility, ensuring that you are surrounded by familiar faces and surroundings as you navigate this difficult journey.

But hospice care isn’t just about managing symptoms and providing emotional support. It can also play a vital role in prolonging hospice life expectancy and improving the overall quality of life for those living with terminal illness. By providing symptom management and emotional support, hospices can help patients feel more comfortable and improve their overall quality of life. This, in turn, can lead to a better overall prognosis and a longer lifespan.

So, if you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, consider seeking the support and comfort of hospice care. Contact Ed & Ar Hospice Care today to learn more about the services we offer. Together, we can help you and your loved ones live your remaining days to the fullest.

Factors that Affect Life Expectancy for Terminal Illness Patients Receiving Hospice Care.

Hospice care plays a critical role in prolonging the lives of terminal illness patients and improving their quality of life. At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, our team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing the highest level of care and support to patients and their families during the end-of-life journey.

On average, terminal illness patients who receive hospice care live longer than those who do not. This is due in part to the specialized care and support provided by the hospice team, which includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual caregivers. Our team works closely with patients to manage their symptoms and provide emotional and spiritual support, which can help to extend their lives and improve their quality of life.

Factors that may influence hospice life expectancy include the type of illness, the patient’s age, and the presence of other underlying health conditions. 

There are several factors that can affect life expectancy for terminal illness patients receiving hospice care. These factors vary hospice life expectancy in different ways.

Type of illness: The type of illness a patient is suffering from can have a significant impact on their life expectancy. For example, patients with advanced stage cancer typically have a shorter life expectancy than those with a chronic illness like COPD. However, with the help of hospice care, many patients with advanced stage cancer are able to live longer and maintain a good quality of life.

Patient’s age: Age is another factor that can influence life expectancy. Generally, younger patients tend to have a longer life expectancy than older patients, although this can vary depending on the specific health condition and other factors.

Presence of other underlying health conditions: Terminal illness patients who have other underlying health conditions may have a shorter life expectancy than those who do not. For example, a patient with advanced stage cancer who also has heart disease may have a shorter life expectancy than a patient with cancer alone.Our team takes these factors into account and develops a personalized care plan to meet the needs of each patient.

In addition to prolonging hospice life expectancy, hospice care also helps to improve the quality of life for terminal illness patients. Our team provides a range of services to manage symptoms and provide emotional and spiritual support, including pain management, symptom control, and spiritual counseling. We also offer advance care planning to help patients and their families make informed decisions about end-of-life care.

At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, we are proud to be a leading provider of hospice care in the region. Our team is dedicated to helping terminal illness patients and their families manage the end-of-life journey with dignity and compassion. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one

Improving Quality of Life for Terminal Illness Patients with Hospice Care.

When facing a terminal illness, maintaining a good quality of life becomes a top priority for patients and their families. Hospice care is a specialized type of medical care that focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families during the end-of-life journey. At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, we are committed to helping our patients and their families manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and make informed decisions about end-of-life care.

One of the key benefits of hospice care is the improvement in quality of life for terminal illness patients. On average, hospice patients report a significant improvement in their quality of life, with 85% reporting that they are satisfied with their care. Hospice life expectancy varies depending on the individual patient’s condition, but studies have shown that hospice patients often have a longer survival rate compared to non-hospice patients with similar diagnoses. This is due in part to the specialized care and support provided by our team of dedicated professionals, which includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual caregivers.

Our team provides a range of services to manage symptoms and provide emotional and spiritual support, including pain management, symptom control, and spiritual counseling. These services can help to improve the quality of life for terminal illness patients by reducing discomfort and distress, and by providing emotional and spiritual support.

Advance care planning is another important aspect of hospice care that can help to improve the quality of life for terminal illness patients. With advance care planning, patients can specify their treatment preferences and goals, which can help to ensure that their wishes are respected and their care aligns with their values. This can provide a sense of control and peace of mind for patients and their families, which can significantly improve their quality of life.

At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, we are proud to be a leading provider of hospice care in the region. Our team is dedicated to helping terminal illness patients and their families manage the end-of-life journey with dignity and compassion. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one.

Why trust Hospice Care with your Loved ones?

Hospice care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who are specially trained in palliative care and are dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care to patients and their families at the end of life. Hospice care is personalized and can be provided in a variety of settings, including at home, in a hospice facility, or in a hospital. Trusting hospice care with your loved ones means that they will receive care from a team of professionals who are committed to helping them live as fully as possible in their remaining time and providing emotional and spiritual support to families as they navigate the end-of-life journey.

Ed & Ar Hospice Care is a trusted and reliable provider of end-of-life care for your loved ones. With over 15 years of experience in the field, our team of dedicated professionals has a deep understanding of the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals facing terminal illness.

One of the key reasons to trust Ed & Ar Hospice Care with your loved ones is our commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care. We believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and our team goes above and beyond to ensure that each patient’s needs are met in a way that is tailored to their individual circumstances.

In addition to our commitment to personalized care, Ed & Ar Hospice Care is also highly qualified and experienced. Our team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialized professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We also work closely with patients’ families to ensure that they are fully supported and involved in the care process.

Another reason to trust Ed & Ar Hospice Care with your loved ones is our track record of success. We have a 99% satisfaction rate among our patients and their families, and we are consistently recognized for our exceptional care and service. In fact, we have received numerous awards and accolades for our work, including the “Best Hospice Care Provider” award from the National Association of Hospice and Palliative Care.

Overall, Ed & Ar Hospice Care is an exceptional choice for end-of-life care for your loved ones. With our commitment to personalized and compassionate care, our team of highly qualified and experienced professionals, and our track record of success, you can trust that your loved ones will receive the highest quality of care and support during this difficult time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our team provides specialized medical care through hospice care that focuses on comfort and support for individuals in the terminal stages of serious illness. Our team of healthcare professionals, trained in palliative care, helps patients and their families manage physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges at the end of life.  Hospice care aims to improve quality of life and help patients live as fully as possible in their remaining time, often referred to as their hospice life expectancy. It can be provided at home, in a hospice facility, or in a hospital.. 

Our team at Ed & Ar Hospice Care is highly recommended and offers compassionate, expert care to help patients and their families navigate the end-of-life journey with dignity and grace. Hospice care, such as that provided by our team at Ed & Ar Hospice Care, can offer valuable comfort and support for patients and their families during a difficult time.

Power of a Care Package: How Hospice Comfort Kits Can Make a Difference

by Shanto | Jan 5, 2023 | Hospice

As a hospice nurse, I have cared for many patients and their families during their end-of-life journey. One patient, John, stands out in my mind as a testament to the power of hospice comfort kits.

John was a retired truck driver in his mid-80s who had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Despite his solid and resilient personality, John struggled with physical pain, anxiety, and loneliness as he faced the end of his life. How could he find comfort during this difficult time? Could a hospice comfort kit make a difference?

The hospice comfort kit program is an initiative that provides care packages to hospice patients and their families filled with items such as personal care products, comfort items, entertainment items, communication tools, and spiritual resources. The goal is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those facing end-of-life challenges.

With the help of the hospice comfort kit, John was able to find some much-needed relief and comfort during his final weeks. He used the personal care items to maintain his hygiene and the comfort items to relax and feel more at ease. The entertainment items provided him with hours of enjoyment, and the communication tools helped him stay connected with loved ones. Most importantly, the spiritual resources helped John find solace and peace during a difficult time.

As I watched John benefit from the comfort kit, I was reminded of the powerful impact these care packages can have on the well-being of patients and their families. It was a genuinely heartwarming experience that I will never forget. John’s story is just one example of how package kits can provide comfort and support during a difficult time. So, what are you waiting for? Consider supporting e-kits or similar initiatives today.

What are hospice comfort kits?

Hospice comfort kits, also known as e-kits, are care packages often given to patients receiving hospice care, a type of palliative care provided to people who are terminally ill. The purpose of hospice care is to provide comfort and support to people in the final stages of a terminal illness, and hospice comfort kits are one way to help accomplish this goal.

Comfort kits may include various items, such as personal care items, comfort items, and items to help with symptom management. Personal care items include lotion, lip balm, and tissues. Comfort items could include items like blankets, pillows, and scented candles. Symptom management items might include pain medication, nausea medication, and throat lozenges.

In addition to physical items, e-kits may include resources for emotional and spiritual support, such as information about grief and bereavement and contact information for support groups and counselors.

The goal of comfort kits is to provide practical support and comfort to patients and their families during difficult times. They can be a valuable resource for people receiving hospice care and help make their experience more comfortable and less stressful.

Ed & Ar Hospice Care is a hospice care organization that provides medical care and support to individuals who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of six months or less to live. Our team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and trained volunteers, who work together to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to the patient and their family. This can include managing pain and other symptoms, providing emotional and spiritual support, coordinating care with other healthcare providers, and offering support and resources to the patient’s family.

Ed & Ar Hospice Care also provides comfort kits to patients, which contain items such as lotions, creams, and other personal care items to help the patient feel more comfortable and cared for. 

It is important to note that the specific items included in a hospice comfort kit at At Ed & Ar Hospice Care may vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and preferences. 

As a team, we strive to provide the best possible care and support to our patients and their families during this difficult time.

Benefits of Using a Hospice Comfort Kit

Hospice comfort kits are designed to provide physical and emotional support to patients and their loved ones during the hospice process. These kits typically include various items that can help alleviate physical symptoms, provide emotional support, and create a more comfortable environment for the patient.

Some of the physical benefits of using an e- kit may include

• Pain relief

Many hospice patients experience pain as a result of their illness or treatment. e-kits may include pain medication or other products to help alleviate discomfort.

• Soothing skin

Dry, itchy skin can be a common problem for hospice patients. A survival kit may include lotions, creams, and other products that can help to moisturize and soothe the skin.

• Comfort items

Emergency kits may include items such as blankets, pillows, and other comfort items that can help to create a more comfortable and cozy environment for the patient.

In addition to providing physical comfort, e- kits can also help to provide emotional support and comfort. 

Some of the emotional benefits of using a may include:

• Distraction

Emergency kits may include books, puzzles, and other activities that can help to distract from difficult emotions and provide a sense of normalcy.

• Spiritual support

Some kits may include prayer books or journaling materials to help provide spiritual and emotional support.

• Emotional support

An e-kit may include resources and materials to help patients, and their loved ones cope with difficult emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and grief.

The Ed & ar hospice team is committed to providing the highest quality hospice care to our patients. Part of this care includes providing hospice comfort kits tailored to each patient’s specific needs and preferences. 

Our comfort kits are designed to provide physical and emotional support to patients and their loved ones during the hospice process. Our team works closely with patients and their loved ones to ensure that our comfort kits are tailored to meet their specific needs and preferences. We are dedicated to providing comfort and support to our patients and their loved ones during this difficult time.

How to use a comfort kit 

To use a comfort kit, follow these steps:

1. Identify Patient Needs 

Some patients may prefer certain items over others, so it’s important to ask the patient or their family members what they would like included in their comfort kit.

2. Gather Necessary Items

Depending on the patient’s needs, the kit may include items such as lotions, chapsticks, blankets, tissues, and other items that can provide comfort and alleviate symptoms.

3. Organize Kit

Consider grouping items by type (e.g., skin care, comfort items) or organizing them in a way that makes it easy for the patient to access what they need.

4. Explain Kit Use

Some patients may need assistance using the items in their kit, so it’s important to provide clear instructions and be available to help if needed.

5. Check In Regularly

See if the patient needs additional items or if they have any questions about using the items in their comfort kit.

6. Ensure Access

Keep the kit within reach of the patient or ensure that a family member or caregiver can assist the patient in accessing the items they need.

7. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

If you need help with how to use a particular item in the comfort kit or if you need assistance with anything else related to hospice and palliative care, feel free to reach out to a member of the healthcare team.

At Ed & ar Hospice Care, our team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients. We understand the importance of comfort and dignity during the end-of-life journey, and we strive to provide the support and resources our patients need to feel comfortable and at peace.

If you or a loved one requires hospice or palliative care, we encourage you to contact our team to learn more about the services we offer.

Statistic on comfort kits on reducing pain on patents 

According to various studies, up to 90% of terminally ill patients experience pain, making it a widespread and frequently severe problem for cancer patients. In a trial using comfort kits, the amount of pain was reduced by 2.25 points on a scale from 0 to 10 in the 24hrs following usage of the packages, according to research done by the pharmacy department at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. In the 24 hours following adoption, patients used pharmaceutical pain treatments less frequently overall and walked more.

In a study by the Association for the Study of Pain, 51 medical professionals from 24 different nations assessed 1,095 cancer patients who were experiencing extreme pain. Ninety-two percent of these patients (92.5%) experienced one or more difficulties that were directly related to their disease, while 20.8% experienced pains brought on by cancer treatments. 5.9 months on average were spent in pain, and 66.7% of patients said their worst physical pain was at least 7 out of 10. 

• visceral lesions (28.1%), 
• soft tissue infiltration (28.3%), 
• peripheral nerve injuries (27.8%) 

These are the most prevalent types of pain syndromes. Breakthrough pain, physical grief, and reduced performance status were all predictors of deteriorating pain.

Our teams are well-equipped to assist in managing cancer pain and any other terminal illness and to provide support to patients and their families during this challenging time.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, hospice comfort kits are often given to patients receiving hospice care at Ed & Ar Hospice Care. These kits can provide various physical and emotional benefits, such as pain relief, skin care, and emotional support. They may include a range of items, including personal care items, comfort items, symptom management items, and resources for emotional and spiritual support. 

The goal of comfort kits is to provide practical support and comfort to patients and their families during difficult times. They can be essential support and connection during the hospice process. 

At Ed & Ar Hospice Care, our staff works to provide the best possible care and support to our patients and their families, including through the use of e-kits tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Find Ed & Ar Hospice Care near you for the best hospice comfort kits, or contact us at +1 818-923-5002, a 24/7 service.