Most things in this world aren’t permanent, and that includes lives. Unfortunately, everyone has their own time to go, and some may leave early or later on in their lives. No person wants to know that their ailing loved one has no more chances for treatment, much less they’re likely to die. Many people don’t realize that finding more treatments for them is far more taxing, and it’s more likely that it will affect the ailing person’s quality of life for the worse.
The best way to take care of an ailing loved one is to keep their living conditions comfortable until the end of their days. Luckily, patient-centered care systems, such as hospice and palliative care, can help because they provide patients just that.
In this article, we’ll discuss how people can benefit from a patient-centered care system. Read on below to learn more.
Understanding Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care does what it says—it puts the patient’s needs as the primary focus of their care. It’s centered not only on the medical conditions but also on other aspects like psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Say a patient has cancer. Chemotherapy is a requirement for healing, but the patient will likely need more than that, and as a result, they feel overwhelmed and struggle with their mortality. The easiest way to address the situation is through the guidance of a therapist or a spiritual advisor, which patient-centered care provides.
How Patients Receive Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care systems encompass different care methods. After all, the idea is to ensure that the patient receives the best quality of life in their weakening state. Some of the most common additional treatments mandated by patient-centered care are:
- Massages
- Psychological or emotional counseling
- Spiritual counseling
- Familial support
Healthcare specialists can refer patients and their families to a provider of any of these services. In some cases, the healthcare facility where a patient is admitted can offer the solutions. Below are some ways that patient-centered care can help an ailing patient:
Enhances Relationships with Family Members
It goes without saying that terminally-ill people need their family around them more often, making them reflect on their relationships and how they got along with them throughout their lifetime. They may feel regret about some of their actions or may wish that they were closer to them. Regardless of the reason, the patient will see their final days as a way to make amends.
Hospice care significantly helps because it’s not only the patient who gets counseling but their family too. If a family takes this route, the ailing patient may pass on, knowing that they have made up with each other without leaving any more grievances.
Develops a Homey Environment
Admit it: you don’t like going to the hospital or clinic, even if you’re in perfect health. For terminally-ill patients, the feeling is worse because they will think that there’s no point in going to the doctor if they’re going to pass away anyway.
While patient-centered care facilities are still healthcare centers, they can give patients a home-like environment or care directly in their homes. Most care providers will let them rest in a comfortable bed surrounded by familiar belongings, such as family photos, which greatly improves their condition mentally and physically.
Provides Better Spiritual Guidance
Anyone who comes down with a severe illness with the news of having a limited amount of time left in this world will make a person question where they will go. They will also think about how they spent their entire lifetime and plan to spend their remaining time left.
For anyone who wants it, hospice care will gladly include spiritual counseling. A care provider will set an appointment for a priest or spiritual leader where the patient can discuss their faith and live their remaining days with a better sense of well-being.
Conclusion
A terminally-ill patient must always get the chance to live out their final days with comfort. Giving them patient-centered care is the best thing to do because it provides them nothing but the best quality of care before finally passing on in peace.
Bridge Home Health & Hospice delivers top-quality programs for home hospice care in San Diego, CA. We believe that every terminally-ill patient should receive the best kind of care possible, and we can manage that through the help of our trained professionals. Contact us today to learn more!
