One of the main priorities of hospice care is keeping your loved one comfortable while honoring their wishes through patient-centered care. Everyone in hospice has a personalized care plan tailored to their unique needs, taking their preferences into account. 

Each plan addresses their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. While every hospice journey looks different, care plans are created to reflect what matters most to your loved one. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at how hospice honors patients’ wishes and provides personalized care. 

Honoring physical needs with comfort care

While hospice care typically takes a holistic approach, it places a strong emphasis on physical comfort. The focus shifts from taking life-saving measures to keeping your loved one feeling as comfortable as possible with ongoing pain and symptom management. 

Your loved one’s evolving care plan outlines their personal preferences for managing pain and symptoms. The plan takes into account their current needs through input and collaboration with members of their care team. Some of the items addressed in the care plan include:

• Medications used for symptom and pain management
• Equipment and supplies 
• Daily activities they may need assistance with 
• Other preferences on physical care

When your loved one can share their preferences, it allows the care team to build a plan that reflects how they want to be cared for and adjust it as their needs evolve.

Prioritizing emotional well-being with ongoing resources 

While addressing your loved one’s physical needs is vital, prioritizing their emotional well-being is just as important. Hospice can be an emotional experience, and the care team provides resources and support to help your loved one navigate this journey. Their individualized care plan can highlight different ways they receive ongoing emotional support.

Medical social workers are one of many care team members who play a vital role in supporting your loved one during hospice. They can help in a variety of ways, including:

• Offering resources for patients and families that support overall well-being
• Collaborating with the care team to address emotional concerns
• Advocating for patients to ensure their individual needs are met

While medical social workers are an important part of the hospice team, caring for your loved one’s emotional well-being is a shared effort. Care plans may also include complementary therapies, such as pet therapy or music therapy, which can provide meaningful ways for your loved one to express and cope with their emotions. Counseling services may also be included as part of their care.

By incorporating emotional support into the care plan, hospice helps create a comforting environment where your loved one can process their feelings with dignity and support. 

Supporting spiritual needs with thoughtful care 

Another important part of the care plan focuses on spiritual needs. Hospice care is inclusive of all beliefs, which is reflected in each personalized care plan. If your loved one has specific values or beliefs, the plan can incorporate meaningful ways to honor their spiritual wishes.

Chaplains are often part of the care team and are available to meet with your loved one if they choose. The team can also help arrange visits with a member of your loved one’s clergy or spiritual community. While spirituality isn’t limited to religious beliefs, it can also reflect personal values and cultural traditions. 

By creating a safe and inclusive space, hospice care allows your loved one to explore what brings them peace and comfort throughout their journey. 

Northern Illinois Hospice is here to provide compassionate end-of-life care

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we understand that every hospice journey is unique, which is why each care plan is tailored to the person’s goals and wishes. We take that information and create a team of individuals that can provide compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one. 

As the first hospice provider in the region, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people transition to hospice care for more than 45 years. Our care team provides compassionate end-of-life care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

We honor patients and their wishes by providing specialized care that treats the person, not the disease. We offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life in their final months.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and volunteers is here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support.

Get even more support with The Reading Room

Because hospice care offers so many services and benefits to patients, families, and providers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate. That’s why we created The Reading Room.

The Reading Room is a special place where people can learn and grow in their understanding of hospice and palliative care, anytime and anywhere. It’s like having a whole library in the palm of your hand or with a click of your mouse. With dozens of articles and helpful how-to videos in both English and Spanish, The Reading Room can serve as a helpful guide. 

To learn more about our palliative or hospice services or how we can help you navigate end-of-life care for your loved ones, call us today at (815) 398-0500.