National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. At Avon Health Center, we provide this highly specialized type of nursing care, which helps increase patient comfort in the final days of life. Our experienced staff understands this is a difficult time for families, but hospice and palliative care is often the best choice for your loved ones.

We explore the benefits but first, what’s the difference between hospice and palliative care?

Hospice vs. Palliative Care

The overall goal of hospice care is to alleviate pain and keep patients comfortable during the end-of-life process. Palliative care is a component of hospice care that is meant to treat the diagnosed medical condition until a doctor gives the patient less than six months to live. If a patient is given a terminal diagnosis like cancer or heart disease, palliative care relieves symptoms and attends to an individual’s spiritual needs. Hospice care typically begins when therapies, medicines and other forms of treatment are stopped.

Benefits of End-Of-Life Care

Over the years, studies have shown that hospice and palliative care can reduce the need for hospitalization, so the patient can live his or her final days in a familiar setting. How does Avon Health Center make the end-of-life process easier?

• Personalization: Your loved one will have a dedicated team providing 24/7 care
• Freedom: Your loved one will not lose control over his or her care
• Dignity: Your loved one’s final days will be of the best possible quality
• Respect: You and our staff will honor your loved one’s final wishes
• Peace of Mind: You can rest assured everything is under control

When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, the whole family is affected. In addition to nursing care, physical therapy and pain management, we offer emotional support to the patient and family members.
 
If your loved one was recently given a terminal diagnosis, learn more about hospice care at Avon Health Center.