Even if the family isn't quite ready for hospice today, they can start discussing it early on and continue the conversation later if they want to. Most hospices are very patient with helping families make this very difficult decision. Besides providing medical support, hospice workers assist patients in every other facet of their lives, from emotional support including life-closure, grief and spiritual counseling to practical support such as pet care and shopping. Depending on the hospice's resources, there may be extra perks, such as art, touch and music therapy. Furthermore, it is not just the dying person who is a patient of the hospice.
Hospice care includes the entire family, in or out of an inpatient setting.
Besides the treatments that depend on cognitive communication, there are lots of ways to reach dying people suffering from Alzheimer's, such as massage and music therapy. And the support for their families through and after this devastating illness is invaluable. Also, hospice workers have expertise in managing specific symptoms of late-stage AD, including problems with skin, mouth, eating, bowel and bladder, safety, and restlessness and sleep problems, she added. Most other insurance plans follow these guidelines. Even if a person has insufficient coverage most hospices will not refuse care.