A few weeks ago, the daughter of one of our patients called us in a panic. She was scared she was going to do something wrong when she gave her father his medication. Sometimes her dad would cough, and she didn’t want him to suddenly pass because of the way she was administering things.
Family members, like this woman, do have to step in as caregiver and give medication sometimes because we cannot provide 24/7, in-person care.
We’ve seen families experience the burden of caregiving firsthand. However, caring for your loved one isn’t something you have to do alone. Our team at Ardent Hospice & Palliative Care is here to support you and your loved one during their end-of-life journey. With a nursing team—which includes a doctor, nurse practitioner, LVN (licensed vocational nurse), home health aide, social worker, and spiritual counselor—to walk with them on this hospice journey, they don’t have to feel alone or be overwhelmed with the burden of caregiving. Here are seven ways you can rely on us to ease your stress.
We can help you navigate caregiving options.
While our team makes frequent visits to each of our patient’s homes or living spaces, some families do need extra or constant caregiving support. In those circumstances, we can help them navigate all their care options to help them find the best one for their family and loved one.
You can reach out to our on-call nurse at any time.
Our families know we have a 24/7, on-call nurse they can contact in emergencies or if they ever have any questions. We can stay on the phone with them as they’re giving medication or triage with them when they’re stressed. It gives them confidence that they’re doing things correctly and they know they’re not alone in caregiving.
We can provide you with emotional support or allow you to just vent.
Our social worker is especially skilled in talking about the burden most caregivers feel. Sometimes things can get stressful—you may even build up some anger, resentment, or depression—and that’s perfectly normal! We’re here to give you a safe space to vent and can share techniques that can help you work through your emotions—hopefully alleviating some of the stress you feel.
We can facilitate family meetings and get everyone on the same page.
Occasionally, the stress our patients’ family members feel doesn’t actually come from caregiving, but from other family members. Everyone might not be on the same page, and their ideas of how to best take care of their loved one can differ greatly. In these cases, we can facilitate a meeting so that each person can voice their feelings and openly talk about their familial issues. Not only do we provide them with a safe space, but we can also help them find solutions to get on the same page and become a united family unit—at least in regards to their loved one’s care.
We can provide respite care when you need a break.
At Ardent, we work with a network of assisted living communities that open their doors to provide respite care for our patients and families. Whether it’s because you’re heading out of town or just need a mental and emotional break for a few days, we can arrange for your loved one to stay at a facility for a few days to give you that rest.
We can create a comfortable space for your loved one when they pass.
Many patients on our care actually prefer to pass in the comfort and warmth of their own home (rather than in a hospital). However, if someone with a terminal illness passes and they’re not under hospice services, oftentimes, the police and/or coroner need to be called to the residence to complete an investigation. With Ardent caring for your loved one, we’ll be there during their last moments and can make the moment special; we take care of the logistical details, so you can focus on being with your loved one or grieve in peace after they’re gone.
You can turn to us for guidance on memorial or estate planning.
We’ve worked with patients and families in all circumstances and can help meet your family’s wishes for handling services or estates after your loved one passes. Many families don’t want to start making arrangements for their loved one’s death before they absolutely need to; they sometimes look at it as an added stress and would rather not deal with it. That’s another benefit of Ardent’s care—we can be there with a quick plan and help you get everything in place to properly honor your loved one.
The best thing you can do for your loved one is to accept help when you need it. Our mission is to help make the end-of-life journey easier for our patients and their caregivers. Visit us online or call us at (559) 408-5945 for more information on how we can help ease some of the stress you and your family might be feeling.
Share +