Keep Your Loved One Home For the Holidays

It’s tempting to consider pushing off doctor visits and decisions about additional help until after the holiday –  a decision that could mean a late-night run to the emergency room or a hospital stay that you were trying to avoid. Hospice care can help avoid this by providing your loved one with the extra care and support they need from the comfort of home.

Hospice at Home

Hospice care is a service that can be provided wherever patients reside – whether that’s in assisted living, their family home, or even in a loved one’s home. At Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, we take pride in being there when you need us most. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to admit patients and provide care.

Our team of nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement coordinators, and volunteers provide care to meet the patient’s medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs under the direction of a hospice medical director. Supplementing the support of family caregivers, our team provides care in the home to make it easier for your loved one to enjoy time with their family.

If there is a sudden decline or other emergent concerns, our team is available at any time of day or night to answer questions or make a visit – even on weekends and holidays.

Family Support

While providing care to a terminally-ill loved one can be a rewarding experience, it can also be physically and emotionally stressful – particularly when added to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Each member of the hospice care team has a role to play in supporting family caregivers.

Nurses are there to provide medical support, answer family questions, and provide instruction on how to administer medications and use medical equipment and supplies in a safe and effective manner.

Hospice aides allow family members to take a break from personal care activities like bathing, grooming, and linen changes.

The social worker works with the patient and their family to ensure goals of care are communicated and end-of-life wishes are met. They can help explain insurance paperwork and connect families with community services like Meals on Wheels. Social workers can also help families navigate difficult conversations and help with putting funeral plans in place.

Chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to the whole family, ensuring spiritual needs are met. They can also assist with funeral arrangements and confirm that the family’s beliefs and traditions are respected.

Volunteers may be added to the patient’s care team to give family members the opportunity to take a break to rest, run errands, or visit with family and friends.

The final addition to the hospice care team is a bereavement coordinator who will support the family as you work through the grieving process. They offer both individual and group grief support opportunities.

If you have a seriously ill loved one who may need extra support, please call us at 1-888-564-3405 to learn how Crossroads can help your family this holiday season. 

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