One of the most common misconceptions about hospice care is that hospice patients are choosing to die. That’s actually the opposite of what hospice really is. Deciding to enter hospice can be extremely difficult for you and your loved one. While you may think they’re giving up, they’re actually choosing to focus on care that supports and enhances their quality of life. 

In this blog, we’re exploring what it means to choose hospice and embrace the idea of living comfortably instead of giving up. 

The purpose of hospice care

One of hospice’s primary goals is to enhance the quality of life for anyone with a life-limiting illness during end-of-life care. We take a holistic approach, focusing on comfort rather than curative treatments and providing compassionate, personalized care that meets your loved one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. 

The care your loved one receives aligns with their wishes, helping them make the most of every day. Choosing hospice care doesn’t mean giving up; it means shifting the focus to comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

How hospice care focuses on living rather than dying 

Your hospice team tries to make the transition to end-of-life care as easy as possible. Your care team works to ensure that your loved one has a comfortable, positive experience focused on making each day count. By honoring your loved one’s wishes, you can help them feel comfortable, supported, and heard. 

It’s important to remember that everyone’s hospice journey is different, and your loved one’s needs and abilities may change over time. Their hospice team meets your loved one where they’re at, adapting their care plan to their current needs while still honoring their wishes. Hospice’s holistic approach to care helps shift the focus from giving up to receiving support for your loved one at every stage.

Hospice supports physical, emotional, and spiritual needs

Hospice prioritizes meeting your loved one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, so they can spend their time on their own terms. With the right support, they can focus more on spending their days on what brings them comfort and joy. 

Along with pain relief and symptom management, hospice also provides emotional and spiritual support that respects each person’s individual beliefs, values, and cultural traditions. Your loved one has a safe, supportive space to talk openly about their feelings, reflect on life, and find comfort in what is meaningful to them. By honoring their wishes, hospice can provide peace and support throughout their hospice journey.

Why talking about hospice early can be beneficial 

Starting the conversation about end-of-life care can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves someone you love. If you’re feeling uncertain about hospice care for your loved one, we’re here to answer your questions and help you feel reassured and confident in the decision you’re making together.

Talking through the options early on can help your hospice team put together a care plan that honors your loved one’s wishes. Entering hospice sooner rather than later gives your loved one the chance to start focusing on what matters most to them. 

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.