End-of-life care focuses on enhancing quality of life, reducing pain and promoting the comfort and dignity of frail people or those with an incurable illness. It takes into account physical, social and spiritual well-being, incorporating a range of personalized approaches and modalities.

Abbey Manor is dedicated to providing residents with a dignified and straightforward approach to end-of-life care. We understand that comfort, support and communication are pivotal at this crucial stage and go the extra mile to ensure seniors and their families stay informed and involved at every step.

Types of End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care is highly specialized and individualized and can last for a few days, months or sometimes more than a year. The team here at Abbey Manor can help take the necessary steps to get residents the care they need when they need it.

There are two main types of end-of-life care:

• Palliative care: Palliative care is offered to people with an incurable illness to help them manage pain and other challenging symptoms. It includes much more than just physical care, taking into account the whole person rather than the illness alone. This type of care is available when you first get a life-limiting diagnosis and is often given alongside other therapies used to treat the condition.
• End-of-life hospice care: Hospice care tends to be offered to individuals with an incurable illness who are no longer receiving medical treatment because the condition is so advanced. That said, if the individual’s symptoms improve, they can quit hospice care and resume active treatment at any point.

Whenever possible, residents are empowered to make their own choices and take the lead in decision-making together with loved ones. Everyone is entitled to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care.

How Does End-of-Life Care Work?

End-of-life services look different for everyone, but here’s a general idea of what to expect:

1. Initial assessment and end-of-life planning: If a resident’s medical provider notices a resident has end-of-life symptoms, the family is notified and an assessment is completed. Should the assessment conclude that end-of-life care is necessary, the planning process begins.
2. Coordination with external health care providers: We collaborate with external health care providers to coordinate care and ensure the individual has access to specialized services. If necessary, we work with external providers to arrange a seamless transition into hospice care or other appropriate services.
3. Regular monitoring: A multidisciplinary team, including health care professionals and social workers, monitors the individual’s health and adjusts the end-of-life care plan accordingly.
4. Family involvement: We ensure open communication channels are established so family members are fully informed and can contribute to decision-making.

Emphasis on comfort and dignity: Comfort and dignity are front and center throughout.

Benefits of End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care aims to make the individual’s life comfortable and joyful, helping support residents and their families through each stage. Let’s look at how end-of-life care helps:

• Prioritizing comfort and personalizing care plans instead of focusing solely on medical issues enhances the quality of life.
• Paying attention to the whole person ensures their dignity and needs are respected as much as possible.
• Open communication with skilled experts and support from a multidisciplinary team eases the burden on families and fosters a sense of relief during uncertain times.
• End-of-life care lets residents stay in a comfortable and familiar environment, avoiding unnecessary hospitalization and promoting wellness.

Keeping these benefits in mind can help you and your loved ones navigate end-of-life care in a healthy and positive mindset.

What Sets Abbey Manor Apart?

Whether you’re considering retirement and thinking ahead or planning end-of-life care for a loved one, choosing the right senior care home is essential. At Abbey Manor, we prioritize comfort, engagement and genuine care in cozy and welcoming surroundings.

Here’s why residents and their families love us:

• We offer a homelike environment and hire the best staff. As such, residents, their loved ones and our team feel like one big family.
• Everything we do is done with love, respect and compassion to maximize the well-being of each resident.
• Family-style dining promotes closer connections between residents and fosters a sense of community.
• We prioritize open communication, authenticity and genuine care.

Advice for Family During the End-of-Life Stages

If your loved one is going through end-of-life care, you likely have strong emotions and plenty of questions. Here’s some advice for family members:

• Encourage open and honest conversations between family members so you can process your emotions together.
• Spend as much quality time as possible with your loved one and engage in activities that bring back happy memories. Bring their favorite cookies, look at old photos together and exchange plenty of hugs.
• Bring any items that will enhance your loved one’s comfort and well-being.
• If possible, ask your loved one to tell you stories about your shared past.
• Respect your loved one’s wishes regarding their end-of-life care.

Honoring Dignity and Promoting Wellness

Experience unconditional support at Abbey Manor, your partner for end-of-life care. Contact us today at (443) 256-4871 or schedule a tour to find out why residents and their families consider our community a home away from home.