Adult Day Centers Offer Assistance and Respite

Susan Johnson, Aspen Senior Care

   Larry takes care of his sweet wife on a 24/7 basis. She has Alzheimer’s which makes life challenging for both of them. In his desperation to get some help he called the Alzheimer’s Association and learned about adult day centers. He was leery at first but felt he needed to try something. After several days of seeing his wife enjoy her time at the day center and himself getting the rest he needed, he was convinced he had found his answer. Now he brings her to the day center three to four times per week and they both get more of what they need.

   Adult day centers are designed to provide enjoyable activities along with needed assistance and supervision. Such centers provide for a wonderful social opportunity to all who come. They also provide much needed relief and respite to family caregivers allowing them the freedom to go to work, take care of personal business or just rest while knowing their loved one is well cared for and safe.
   The primary mission of adult day centers is to: 1) delay or prevent institutionalization by providing alternative and economical senior care, 2) enhance self-esteem and encourage socialization, and 3) provide respite to family caregivers.
   Here are some of the activities you can find at an adult day center:

· Social activities

· Reminiscing discussions

· Enjoyable exercise

· Daily art class

· Games and puzzles

· Catered lunch and snacks

· Musical sign-a-longs and events

· Assist with medication reminders

· Assistance with personal care

· Field trips

· And more…

   Adult day centers, like Aspen Senior Center, represent one of most economical senior care options for seniors wanting to stay at home or with loved ones. Some financial assistance may be offered through Medicaid, Alzheimer’s Association, Jewish Family Service, Veterans Administration, and Mountainland Association of Governments. To learn more about Aspen Senior Center go to AspenSeniorCenter.org or call 801-607-2300. 

 

 

Susan Johnson has spent the past 30 years serving seniors in her community. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has worked in hospitals and for home health agencies. Susan has also provided private duty care for seniors in their homes. Susan is currently employed by Aspen Senior Care and Aspen Senior Center as their Relations Manager. Seniors are dear to her heart and she is passionate about providing the best possible care for them.

How Do I Know If My Loved One Qualifies for Hospice?

 For some years, society has placed a stigma on the word "Hospice". Some believe Hospice is a place you go to die. Others think that "Hospice" starts in the last few days of life. Some people think Hospice care is too expensive. And, yes, there are a few who thought Hospice had a magic pill that will end life for their loved one.

Let's address each of these beliefs individually so that YOU will have a clear and correct knowledge of Hospice.

1. Hospice is a philosophy of care for end-of-life.  The patient is at the center of this care.  Their wishes are of the utmost importance.  The Hospice team of a nurse, aides, chaplain and social worker, with the patient and their family, make a plan of care to meet the needs of the patient and keep them as comfortable as possible during this time.  If the patient requests no medications, the Freedom Home Hospice team is able to alleviate pain with our Namaste Care program using touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.  It is a unique program that very few agencies utilize but we have found that it can truly make a difference for the patient and their family.

2. Hospice care can start when a Doctor has stated that given the admitting diagnosis and its natural progression, there is approximately 6 months left in life for the individual.  Now, nobody can pinpoint the day and time someone will pass away from this life, and I have seen plenty of patients live well pass two years and still qualify to receive Hospice benefits. The Doctor is only giving an estimation and that is the main qualification to qualify for the care.
   Think about being able to have that extra help with your loved one and their personal cares, medications and pain control.  I like to think that the longer a team is able to serve a client, the more comfortable the client will be with those caregivers at the end-of-life.
   Yes, many times we begin care in the last few days but the Hospice Benefit through Medicare or Private insurances is intended to provide that care in the last six months of life.

3. Hospices care is paid for, 100% through the Medicare Benefit or through private insurance.  With the Medicare Benefit, this is something that those who have paid into Social Security have paid for throughout their lifetime of employment.  It is there for every individual, no matter your age.  For those younger terminally ill patients who perhaps have never reached an employment age, Hospice can be paid for through private insurance.  Either way, please call us to let us help you understand what benefits are available at 801-225-3377.

4. I have had a few people ask me about the "Magic Pill" that Hospice has to help their mom or dad on their way out of their life. I can assure you, there is no magic pill! Being married to a Police Officer, I am pretty certain that administering anything that would end someone's life is illegal and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  With that said, the Hospice Team's goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and in as little pain as possible.  Think of it like this.....Our team gets to become a valuable part of someone's life, at the end of their life.  They get to make their life as comfortable and pain free as possible.  They will be an advocate for the patient and their loved ones, helping them all make and understand decisions during this most precious time.  The team truly loves their work and realize that the one they are caring for will pass away.  This will end their job, and their paycheck, for their care. Why would any Hospice team want to see that end?

In conclusion, Hospice is all about living every minute of your life to the fullest.  Our team is highly trained and specialize in caring for terminally ill patients.  It is a bittersweet situation to be in, but we choose to be there.  We choose because of our love of and for people.

Understanding Hospice

Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.

Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.

The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity.

Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.

Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.

Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.

Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.

History of Hospice
The word "hospice" stems from the Latin word "hospitium" meaning guesthouse. It was originally used to describe a place of shelter for weary and sick travelers returning from religious pilgrimages. During the 1960's, Dr. Cicely Saunders, a British physician began the modern hospice movement by establishing St. Christopher's Hospice near London. St. Christopher's organized a team approach to professional caregiving, and was the first program to use modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The first hospice in the United States was established in New Haven, Connecticut in 1974.

Today there are more than 4,700 hospice programs in the United States.* Hospice programs cared for 965,000 people enrolled in Medicare in 2006,** and nearly 1.4 million people in the United States in 2007*.

Hospice is not a place but a concept of care. Eighty percent of hospice care is provided in the patient's home, family member's home and in nursing homes. Inpatient hospice facilities are sometimes available to assist with caregiving.

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* Figure from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
** Figure from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).