Hospice Care for your loved ones

If you or a loved one has received a terminal diagnosis and is ready to cease treatment, it may be time to consider hospice care. Hospice care allows a patient with a terminal illness to have dignity and comfort in the end stages of illness. At Agape Hospice NW, we offer no-cost hospice services throughout Portland so patients can receive compassionate end-of-life care. To find out if our hospice services are right for you or to learn more about what we offer, call us today.

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What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is end-of-life care provided to a terminally ill patient. Hospice care is provided when the patient ceases curative care and medical treatment and has six months or less to live. Unlike palliative care, hospice care is not offered alongside curative care; it is offered instead of curative treatment. Hospice care can occur in a patient’s home, or at a hospital, medical facility, or hospice facility. Hospice care is designed to ensure a patient remains comfortable and pain-free during the last months of life.

When Should Hospice Care Start?

Hospice care is appropriate for individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or a condition that has progressed to a point where curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort, pain relief, and emotional support to patients who have a limited life expectancy, usually estimated to be six months or less.

The primary goal of hospice care is to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families during the final stages of life. It is typically sought when aggressive medical treatments are no longer beneficial or when the patient and their family decide to shift the focus from curative treatments to palliative care.

Some common situations where hospice care might be appropriate include:

Advanced cancer: When cancer has reached an advanced stage and treatments are no longer effective or cause significant side effects that outweigh the benefits.
End-stage heart, lung, or kidney disease: For patients with severe organ failure and limited life expectancy.
Advanced neurological conditions: For individuals with conditions like advanced Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) where the prognosis is poor.
End-stage liver disease: When the liver function has significantly deteriorated.
Chronic progressive conditions: For patients with conditions like HIV/AIDS, where the disease has progressed to a point where medical interventions are not sufficient.
Serious debilitation and frailty: For elderly patients with multiple chronic illnesses and declining health.

It’s important to note that hospice care is a voluntary choice, and patients can choose to discontinue hospice care if their condition improves or if they wish to pursue further aggressive treatments.

What Does Hospice Care Provide?

Hospice care services include pain management, medication to manage symptoms, emotional and spiritual support, counseling and bereavement services, and comfort services for someone who is terminally ill. The hospice care team addresses the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs while treating pain and other symptoms. Hospice care is not meant for patients with chronic, temporary, long-term, or short-term illnesses that can be cured or that are still being treated.

Who Can Benefit From Hospice Care?

The patient, the patient’s friends and family, and the patient’s caregivers can benefit from hospice care. The patient will be comfortable and pain-free during the last months of life, and family, friends, and caregivers can have peace of mind that their loved one is cared for and isn’t in pain. Anyone who is in the last six months of life or who has been referred to hospice care by a doctor or medical team can be eligible for hospice care services.

How Will I Know if Hospice Care Is the Right Decision?

Hospice care is in your best interests if curative treatments are no longer effective, recommended, or feasible, or if there is no cure for your illness. If there are no further measures that can be taken to extend your life and/or if a physician has determined that your life expectancy is six months or less, you may benefit from hospice care. Hospice care may also be recommended during the end stages of an illness when a patient needs assistance with pain management, physical care, and symptom management of a terminal illness.

Why Choose Agape Hospice NW for Hospice Care in Portland?

At Agape Hospice NW, our care team is experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate. We are dedicated to helping patients find solutions that ease their pain, burdens, and emotional struggles so they can spend the last months of their life in comfort. We offer comprehensive, customizable care services throughout Portland. We work closely with patients, families, and caregivers to provide the highest quality care possible in every situation. All of our care and hospice services are offered at no cost to the patient or family.

Call Us Today for Hospice Care Services in Portland

If you think that hospice care might be right for you or a family member, call us today at Agape Hospice NW to find out how we can help. We want each family to feel comfortable with the services we provide, and we help patients and families navigate the process of requesting and receiving hospice care services that work for them and their needs. To learn more or to schedule an initial meeting, call us or contact us online today.

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