What You Need To Know About Oklahoma Hospice Care

By Anna Sanders


The end of life isn't always quick and easy. It can be painful, discouraging, and sad. It's important for the dying individuals and their families to know they don't have to go through the process alone. There are caring, compassionate professionals available at all hours and willing to go wherever they are needed to assist in making this final transition easier and less painful. Oklahoma hospice care is a good example.

Individuals and family members have a lot of questions at this time. A common question is when discussing this subject is appropriate. It will never be easy for loved ones, but discussing the wants and needs of the individual is much better done in advance. This will be one decision already made and out of the way when the patient's final stage of life comes.

In order to begin the process someone within the family must request it. Once the agency receives a request it can be processed in forty-eight hours. A representative will meet with the individual and the family within that time frame. Depending on the severity of the situation, it is possible to initiate the process sooner than the normal forty-eight hour time period.

Every patient in hospice will have the services of a registered nurse, home health worker, volunteer, social worker, and chaplain available to them. This team works with the family, and the individual as appropriate, to put together a plan that fits the individual needs of each situation. The staff members divide their time between a number of patients. Nurses may care for a dozen or more patients. Social workers usually have twice that.

Patients can suffer great pain when conditions reach the final stages. Hospice workers are trained to keep patients as free of pain and discomfort as possible. They work together with the patient's doctors to make sure they understand the therapies, procedures, and medications necessary to obtain the results desired. Workers continue to meet with doctors in order to keep up with any modifications or changes to the original treatments.

Palliative care workers go wherever they are needed. A patient doesn't need to be admitted to a hospital in order to get assistance. The staff treats patients living in long term facilities like nursing homes. The agency keeps agreements between it and the institutions that allow staff to come onto the premises and work with clients.

For patients who need more attention than their families can provide for them in their homes there is always the option of freestanding hospice houses and inpatient residential centers. Families must be aware however that these facilities are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. It's a good idea to make plans early to obtain the type of insurance that will cover this circumstance.

The last of life is often difficult. It may be painful, messy and prolonged. There are resources available to help any family that requests it. Hospice is designed to make a difficult process more bearable.




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