As our elderly loved ones age, many of us turn to the help of assisted living and memory care communities. These facilities offer safe environments, professional caregivers and daily activities, all of which are designed to improve the quality of life. While some seniors can comfortably remain in assisted living for the rest of their years, others may eventually require end-of-life care.

Transitioning to end-of-life care is no easy decision. At Catered Living at Ocean Pines, we support residents and their families by helping them find the best possible solution, whether that’s staying with us or receiving care in a hospital. Let’s take a closer look at what end-of-life care entails and how our team can help.

End-of-life care is a health service given to people nearing the end of their life (either due to old age or a terminal illness). The purpose of this care type is to make the patient as comfortable as possible by catering to the following:

• Physical well-being
• Mental health
• Spiritual needs

There are two main types of end-of-life care: palliative and hospice care. In palliative care (which is typically administered in a hospital), patients are given curative treatments in conjunction with comfort care.

This means they receive medical treatment and symptom or pain relief simultaneously.
Hospice care, on the other hand, focuses solely on symptom relief and making the patient as relaxed as possible. It’s usually covered by insurance and can be provided in several locations, including in the comfort of the patient’s home.

When an older adult is reaching the end of their life, their loved ones may make the difficult decision to transition to end-of-life care. In some cases, it can be hard to decide between palliative and hospice care. Most health care providers will recommend hospice if palliative care isn’t working or the patient has a prognosis of six months or less. However, it may be better to start earlier if the patient meets the following conditions:

• They experience frequent hospitalizations.
• The curative treatments are painful.
• They’d rather focus on quality of life.

If you’re trying to determine whether end-of-life care is right for your loved one, speak with a medical professional. They can tell you when it’s time to begin the transition and even make a recommendation for palliative or hospice care.

Discussing end-of-life care isn’t easy. In fact, it may be tempting to delay the conversation and focus on curative treatments instead. However, having that discussion early brings many advantages for both the patient and their family. Here are some benefits of end-of-life care.

It Puts the Patient First 

Above all, end-of-life care puts the patient first. It focuses on making the patient as comfortable as possible by reducing stress, decreasing hospital visits and improving overall quality of life. For example, a patient undergoing end-of-life care may receive medication designed to alleviate pain (as opposed to a curative treatment that causes painful symptoms).

It Provides Support for the Family 

End-of-life care isn’t just for the patient — it’s also for the family. In addition to health care providers, a hospice team may include social workers and grief counselors who’ll work with the family and help guide them through this difficult process. This type of care also gives families a chance to mentally prepare for the loss of their loved ones and make any necessary arrangements.

It Can Boost Well-Being and Life Span 

End-of-life care and an increasing life span may sound contradictory. However, end-of-life care has been linked to longer life spans. Once they start prioritizing quality of life over curative treatments, many patients experience an increase in strength, dignity and mental well-being. These positive traits may contribute to a longer, happier life overall.

Location plays a big role in end-of-life care. While you want your elderly loved one to be as comfortable and peaceful as possible, it’s also important they receive the assistance they need. There are three main places patients can receive this care:

• At home
• At an assisted living facility, nursing home and long term care facility
• In a hospital

Many seniors desire at-home end-of-life care because it’s comfortable to remain at home. However, this isn’t an option for some older adults — not only does it demand space for medical equipment, but it also requires the help of family members or a professional caregiver who can visit regularly.

For seniors who can’t adequately get end-of-life care in their homes, the next best option is an assisted living facility. At Catered Living at Ocean Pines, we support our residents from the moment they join our community through the end of their lives.

Catered Living at Ocean Pines has one central goal: to provide happiness, health and wellness to our assisted living and memory care residents. We understand that health needs change over time, which is why we offer different levels of care and individualized regimens for each resident. In some cases, this may include end-of-life care.

If a resident’s care needs fall within the licensed capabilities of Catered Living, they’ll typically stay in our home for the remainder of their lives. Furthermore, if a resident qualifies for hospice care, they can be helped at our home by nurses from local hospice organizations. In cases where care needs require the assistance of a hospital, our team will locate a facility and provide a smooth transition. Our ultimate goal is to help residents live out the rest of their years as comfortably and safely as possible. If you have any questions about end-of-life care or would like to learn more about our home, please contact us today!