The decision to relocate mom to an assisted living facility or nursing home has created a major life change for the entire family. You’ve researched options and visited communities to find the right one for the level of care and assistance she needs. Once moved in, you surrounded mom with family photos, her favorite blanket, and a few memorable keepsakes. You’ve tried to make these new surroundings feel as much like home as possible. By carefully choosing an assisted living community that feels right for your family’s circumstances, you and your family have committed time and resources to make sure she has the right amount of care and support in this next phase of life. Your goal through this often delicate transition is to help mom live each day in comfort and dignity.
But now, mom’s illness has gotten more serious. Her specialist has recommended hospice care for extra comfort and support at the end of life.
Can mom receive the benefits of hospice care in her assisted living facility? Yes. Hospice care goes to the patient whether that’s the home and neighborhood they’ve lived in for decades — or an assisted living facility that they’ve only recently moved to.
Additionally, if you or a loved one are suffering with end-stage heart disease, Samaritan has the only cardiac care hospice program in New Jersey that was built in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. Click here to learn more.
Want to Learn More About Hospice Care for Assisted Living Situations?
Why can’t the assisted living facility staff provide hospice care?When you choose an assisted living hospice option, it does not duplicate the services your loved one already receives from the facility. End-of-life care is very different from general medical services or custodial care. The assisted living and nursing home staff, while highly trained, aren’t trained in specialized end-of-life care.
Hospice team members are experts in managing pain and distressing symptoms. They bring medical services – along with medications and supplies – to help your loved one live as pain-free and as comfortable as possible. The team also answers any of your end-of-life questions, provides spiritual support, and offers counseling.
The key to hospice care while in assisted living is maintaining ongoing coordination and communication between the hospice care team, facility staff, and family. Samaritan works closely with you, your family, your physician(s) and the assisted living staff to make this possible. The staff may communicate health care needs, provide ongoing support, and fulfill any other wishes throughout the course of care. This seamless supportive team focuses on you and your family.
Hospice care services add to the care already provided by your assisted living community. Together, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there is someone to call at any hour of the day, any day of the week – from anywhere in the world. It’s a great comfort and relief.
If you’d like to learn more about assisted living hospice options, please call Samaritan at (800) 229-8183.