Having exhausted all options, if you or your relative has a terminal illness, you should consider hospice care. Hospice care is a care service for anyone who is getting close to the end of life. 

Hospice Care in Ventura county is often provided through health care professionals who seek to maximize comfort for a terminally ill person while reducing pain and addressing their physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs. Families also use hospice care services to provide respite care, counseling, and practical support.

This is because compared to other medical care services, hospice care does not focus on curing the underlying disease; rather, it supports the quality of a person's life for the remaining time frame.

Who is eligible for hospice care

We already established that hospice Care in Ventura county is designed for people who are terminally ill. What you may not know is that such a person should have just about six months or less to live. 

This is why most people receiving hospice care either have cancer, dementia, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When this happens, starting hospice care early ensures you live longer and better. 

This care service not only reduces the burden on your family but also decreases the likelihood of having your family grieve while preparing them for the death of their loved one. Now a patient can be cared for within a period of time at the facility not just because they need it but also to ensure the family caregiver gets a break. 

People who are involved in hospice care

Whether you are receiving hospice care at a dedicated facility or the hospice staff is making regular visits to your home, you will have access to a 24 hours call within seven days a week. To make this possible, you need a hospice care team comprising of the following persons; 

• A doctor. It is the responsibility of a primary care doctor, medical doctor, and hospice doctor to oversee your care. Because each patient has to choose a primary care doctor, you can either choose your prior doctor or a hospice doctor. 
• A nurse. Nurses are trained to provide care by coming to your house or that of your relative. They also help to coordinate the entire hospice care team.
• Spiritual counselor. From the chaplain to the priests, lay ministers, and other spiritual counselors, a patient can get the care and guidance they need for an entire family.
• Social workers. Social workers are also trained to provide patients with counseling and support. They also help to refer patients to other health care givers. 
• Bereavement counselors. This is a professional on the team trained to offer guidance and support to a person after the death of their loved one in hospice 
• Volunteers. Hospice care is also made with trained volunteers that provide numerous services, including help with transportation and other practical needs. 

Conclusion 

For you to have access to hospice care services, your healthcare provider needs to certify that your condition is life-limiting.