As the region’s first hospice provider, Northern Illinois Hospice has continued to adapt and evolve over the years to better meet our patients’ needs. While providing compassionate comfort care remains our top priority, the hospice industry continues to find additional ways to support patients and their loved ones. 

In this blog, we’re exploring some ways hospice has evolved over the years to better care for patients and their families. 

Telehealth 

Individualized care plans have always been an integral part of hospice care from the very beginning. Once your loved one begins hospice, their care team will put together a comprehensive and personalized care plan that outlines their current medical needs, goals, and wishes. 

As the hospice industry continues to evolve, additional supportive services have become more widely available. For example, telehealth visits can be a quick and easy way to communicate with your loved one’s care team. 

While in-home visits remain a crucial part of hospice and should not be replaced by telehealth, this additional form of communication can offer benefits for families.  

Telehealth visits allow virtual access to your hospice care team from the comfort of your home. You can ask questions about your family member’s care and receive additional support between in-person visits. 

These services may not be necessary for everyone, but you can always talk to your hospice provider to see if this is an option for your loved one. Telehealth is just one example of how hospice providers continue adapting to improve connection and communication between your loved one and their care team. 

Community outreach and education

Another way hospice has changed over the years is through community outreach and public education. Ever since hospice began in the 1960s, there have been misconceptions surrounding the care and resources available to families.  

In recent years, many hospice providers have placed greater emphasis on community outreach to educate families about the many benefits of hospice and connect with community members. Workshops, support groups, fundraising events, and other events can help the community learn more about all the resources available to patients and caregivers in hospice. 

Conversations about beginning hospice can feel overwhelming at first, so hosting community events gives hospice organizations the chance to build meaningful relationships before families begin their hospice journey. 

Another way providers can connect with people is through social media. More organizations now have an online presence to engage with people on a variety of platforms. These platforms can help dispel common misconceptions while offering additional resources and testimonials, so people feel less alone during this difficult time. 

These evolving ways to reach the community can help connect people with the right resources when it comes time to start their personal hospice journey. 

Expanded support for patients and families 

Some aspects of hospice care have been around since the very beginning, such as caregiver and family support, individualized comfort care, and holistic approaches to care. While hospice continues to grow and adapt, providers remain committed to upholding these foundational values while finding new ways to support patients and families through their hospice journey.

Educational resources for families and caregivers

In addition to providing a holistic and compassionate approach to care, hospice teams also offer helpful resources for patients and families. Families may also have access to support groups and bereavement counseling while their loved one is in hospice and for up to a year afterward.

At Northern Illinois Hospice, one of our most valuable resources is The Reading Room. It’s an online space where you can learn more about hospice and palliative care through a variety of articles and how-to videos. These articles and videos can be accessed online from anywhere at any time in English or Spanish. 

Using accessible resources like these can help you feel more confident in your understanding of hospice.

Complementary therapies 

Many hospice providers incorporate complementary therapies into care plans to provide additional comfort and relaxation. Some of these therapies include:

• Aromatherapy
• Pet therapy
• Music therapy

Engaging in these supportive therapies can benefit your loved one’s emotional and physical well-being by helping them relax, de-stress, and feel more at ease. Because every hospice journey is different, these sessions can be personalized to fit your loved one’s current needs. 

Finding meaningful ways for your loved one to feel connected and comforted can help enhance their quality of life.

Increased emphasis on quality of life 

All of these approaches in hospice ultimately share the goal of enhancing your loved one’s quality of life through various programs, therapies, and ongoing support from the care team. Hospice is committed to helping patients feel comfortable, supported, and at peace throughout their hospice journey while creating meaningful moments with the people they love. 

By starting hospice early, people can receive the support they deserve sooner. 

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. Call us today at (815) 398-0500.