Comfort is the primary goal of end-of-life care. Once a senior is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the care received helps soothe the dying individual. The period surrounding death should be accompanied by support and medical care. Here are ways to provide essential provisions when death is near.

End-of-life care may begin at any time, but mostly depends on the senior and the progression of illness. For example, when a doctor diagnoses Alzheimer’s disease, he will also provide the family with guidelines about the different stages. A general timeline will help families plan for care.

Similarly, a senior who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may experience complications that can reduce his lifespan by one to two years. In patients, the specific type of Parkinson’s disorder highly effects the individual’s life expectancy. Parkinson’s disease, however, is not itself fatal.

A few telltale signs suggest that it is time for hospice or palliative care—as opposed to curative care: an illness rapidly progresses despite multiple trips to the emergency room, repeated hospitalizations within the year, a desire to remain at home and no longer wanting treatment for the disease.

1. Plan Early

End-of-life support begins with early planning. Discuss the senior’s wishes about hospice or palliative care and spiritual practices. An advanced directive, living will, or power of attorney gives families clear instructions about the senior’s preferences. Families should act on what they know the senior wants when legal documents remain unprepared.

When choosing hospice care at home, family caregivers will rely on hospice care staff. Hospice teams visit regularly to provide care, including speech or physical therapy, bathing the patient, and providing both spiritual and emotional support based on the senior’s beliefs.

2. Prepare the Home

End-of-life care at home also requires that family caregivers prepare the home. The senior should first make it known that he wishes for care at home. The senior’s room will ideally accommodate a commode, wheelchair, and hospital bed. Professional medical help should be readily accessible.

Providing support with end-of-life care may also prompt families to seek 24-hour care from a qualified home care agency. Professional caregivers offer transportation for daily needs and emergencies. Caregivers are also trained to safely move, lift, and turn a bedridden senior.

3. Provide Physical Comfort

Common symptoms appear during end-of-life care. Caregivers will provide invaluable comfort by recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to respond. Loss of appetite, for example, can be relieved by offering ice chips or juice; allow the patient to choose when to eat or drink.

When a loss of bladder or bowel control occurs, place clean disposable pads on the bed; remove and replace soiled pads. Keep the senior clean and dry. Cool skin may be relieved by warming the senior with blankets (avoid electric blankets or heating pads—as these can cause burns).

4. Offer Emotional Support

Seniors at the final stages of life equally benefit from emotional support. Comfort the individual by keeping him company; talk to the senior, watch television together or hold his hand. Listen to the patient as he reminisces, which can provide perspective about life and the dying process.

Fear can accompany imminent death. Allow the dying senior to express his feelings about death and leaving behind family and friends. Talking about fears can help the senior accept the inevitable. Families should let their loved one know that his last wishes will be honored, despite disagreements.

Peace may be found as the senior nears death by communicating the importance of various relationships. Adult children might let an aging father know how significantly he influenced their lives. Friends can express the joy received through years of companionship.

5. Lend Spiritual Solace

Spiritual needs are as important as physical ones for some seniors. These individuals find comfort in their faith. Families can bring further comfort to the elderly individual by reading religious texts, listening to spiritual music, or bringing in a leader from the senior’s religious community.

While giving physical, emotional, and spiritual support to a senior at the end of life, families and caregivers should know that hearing is one of the last senses to lose function. Despite being unresponsive or unable to speak, the senior will be able to hear all that is spoken.

Since the senior can still hear, families must identify themselves and talk to the senior, not about him. Grandchildren, adult children, and friends can share fond memories with the aging senior and be assured that he is likely able to hear—which is comforting for everyone involved.

Let the dying individual know that his personal affairs will be handled. Families who are engaged in fulltime caregiving and managing affairs are likely to need an occasional break. Ask friends or relatives to bring meals, so that the family caregiver can give her full attention to the dying individual.

Another source of dependable support comes from Assisting Hands Home Care, a reputable home care agency staffed with a team of qualified caregivers who are experienced in all aspects of senior care. One of the many areas in which we offer specialized expertise is compassionate end-of-life care.

Hospice care at home is preferred by the majority of seniors. These individuals wish to spend their last days in the comfort and familiarity of home and surrounded by those they love. Our caregivers offer a range of nonmedical end-of-life care services that preserve the senior’s dignity and comfort.

Our hospice home care includes help with personal hygiene, such as dressing, bathing, grooming and toileting. We prepare nutritious meals and perform light housekeeping. Medication reminders are given on schedule. Our caregivers serve as pleasant companions and ward off isolation and loneliness.

Families in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding communities rely on Assisting Hands Home Care during the last phases of life. Our hospice care plan follows the patient’s wishes. When you need quality end-of-life care for patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or any other condition, schedule a consultation.