Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia has unique challenges. As their disease gets worse, the person you love fades away. It’s painful to watch, and it can be hard to care for someone who doesn’t know who you are, especially when they need more and more from you.
At VNS Health, we’ve been providing end-of-life care to people with dementia for decades. We know their needs and their caregivers’ difficulties. We understand why it’s important to maintain your loved one’s routine and reduce their agitation. Our goal is to support you and keep your loved one safe and comfortable, in a place they know, with familiar faces nearby.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is centered on improving quality of life for people as they near the end of life. It focuses on a person’s physical and emotional needs rather than prolonging their life.
Hospice care also helps caregivers and family members by providing emotional support, answering questions, and helping you with some day-to-day tasks.
In many cases, VNS Health can provide hospice care even if your loved one lives in a skilled nursing facility or memory care unit.
Benefits of Hospice Care for People with Dementia
Hospice for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias can:
- Keep your loved one out of the hospital, in familiar surroundings
- Manage your loved one’s pain or other symptoms
- Give family members and caregivers the support and guidance they need, including maintaining your loved one’s routine
Hospice care from VNS Health also includes:
- Medications and equipment delivered to your home
- A comfort pack, with medications to address symptoms as they occur and help reduce hospital visits
- Round-the-clock access to the hospice medical team through our caregiver helpline
Get More Informaton
Speak with a VNS Health team member about hospice care today.
When Should You Consider Hospice Care?
Your loved one’s health care provider can help you figure out when it’s time for hospice care. Here are signs that your loved one may be eligible:
- They need more day-to-day help with dressing, bathing, and using the toilet
- They stop swallowing
- They don’t recognize you or close family members
- They speak less and less
- They need help to walk, sit up, or hold up their head
It can be hard to think about hospice care. But talking to your loved one’s health care provider about hospice sooner rather than later gives you more time to experience the benefits and the peace that it can bring.
What You Can Expect from VNS Health Hospice Care
Your loved one’s hospice care team will work with you and your loved one’s providers to develop a care plan that focuses on keeping them safe, comfortable, and out of the hospital. Our hospice care also includes practical and emotional support for caregivers and family members.
Hospice services for your loved one include:
- Medical care for their dementia, including medications and equipment delivered to the home
- Personal care, such as bathing, toileting, and feeding
- Emotional support and spiritual care, including help making peace with family members
- Help with practical issues, such as advance care planning
- Other services, based on the care plan
The care team will also help you with:
- Knowing what to expect, and what to do in an emergency
- Teaching other family members how to maintain your loved one’s routine
- Making decisions about care and practical concerns
- Emotional support and spiritual care for you and other family members
- Support with family issues
- Respite care, so you can take a break and not miss important events like a wedding or graduation
- Grief support for 13 months to help you and your family through milestones and anniversaries
Is Hospice Care Covered by Insurance?
Yes, hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, and most private insurance companies. Insurance starts as soon as your loved one is admitted to hospice.
Additional help, including home health aides and round-the-clock nursing care, is available to patients and families from VNS Health Personal Care. We have special discounted rates if your loved one is receiving advanced illness care from VNS Health already. Learn more about private care services from VNS Health Personal Care.
Related Services
Emotional Support & Spiritual Care
Emotional support and spiritual care for hospice patients and their families and caregivers.
