When a medical cure is not available, Adia provides "Hospice Care Support" in the home or where the family considers home to be. The operative word is "support" to you and your family, enabling every family member to focus on being a son, daughter, spouse, lover, grandchild, and friend during this sensitive time, rather than focus on the incontinence care, bathing, meal preparation, light housekeeping and managing errands. The Adia Hospice Care Support provides personal non-medical care, comfort and stand-by assist 24/7 for persons with life-limiting conditions.
In partnership with the hospice medical professionals, the Adia Hospice Care Support team strives to make the person comfortable and relieve their symptoms for the entire length of their illness as best as physically, emotionally and spiritually as possible. Unlike the hospice nurses, the Adia Hospice Care Support team provide 24/7 bedside attention and care. The role of Adia is NOT to replace the hospice nurse or medical professionals but rather lend "help and support 24/7" to the hospice medical professionals and their plan of care. Typically, the hospice medical nurses have scheduled visits throughout the day or weeks. The Adia Hospice Care Support team provides 24/7 bedside attention and report any changes and/or needs requiring medical attention to the hospice medical team. Adia becomes the "eyes and ears" for the hospice medical professionals and family.
The ultimate goal is to sustain a comfortable experience and environment during the final years and months of life, in partnership with the professional hospice medical nurses. Adia joins the hospice care team which typically includes hospice nurse, doctor, social worker and family.
The Adia Hospice Care "Support" includes:
- Create a peaceful and comfortable environment as best as possible (i.e. using music and aromatherapy if appropriate)
- Ease pain with gentle massages of the feet, hands, back, head, and chest
- Listen to the fears and worries shared by everyone
- Offer hugs, understanding and stand-by assist at all times, 24/7
- Provide the tools to ensure maximum comfort ability and safety such as daily preparation of the bed, provide a walker, or transfer when needed
- Use indicated supplies as directed by the hospice medical professionals
- Operate equipment as directed by the hospice medical professionals
- Log the medications ordered by the medical professionals
- Log the frequency of physical therapy ordered by the medical professionals
- Report the physical and emotional changes to the medical professionals on a daily basis
- Turn and transfer the loved one determined by the hospice nurses
- Read books, newsletters or personal letters to the loved one
- Help write cards and letters to the loved ones
- Greet family and guests when visiting
- Fulfill the wishes of the family and loved one
- Help with errands, daily activities of living and chores such as medication reminder, light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, incontinence care/toileting and meal preparation for family and guests
- Help clean closets, garages, kitchen cabinets, pantry, refrigerators, wash clothing, and pick up clothing from laundry or other home project
Important Note: The Adia Hospice Care Support is not a team medical professionals and will not prescribe medical advice or administer medications. The Adia Hospice Care Support lends "support" and a constant presence to the medical professionals and family. Our role is to focus on the non-medical, physical and emotional needs of the loved-one and family. Our priority is to focus on the details of living, breathing, blinking, moving, touching, hearing, and existing with life and family - the core human senses of life.