What is Hospice Care? And why is it so important?

Hospice Care and its Importance

Hospice care provides physical, psychological, social and spiritual support for those who are in their last stages of a terminal illness. Typically, hospice care is suggested by a healthcare provider when a patient has six months or less to live. Many individuals who are experiencing terminal and chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, dementia and kidney failure use hospice as a way to prepare for the last stages of their journey. In addition, hospice care can help families cope with the forthcoming loss of a loved one through counseling and respite care. While hospice care is often focused on meeting the physical needs of a patient, many people are unaware of its robust offerings for both the individual receiving care and their family members.

What Does Hospice Care Provide?

Many hospice care providers take different approaches to services and types of support, however all hospice providers are required to offer certain services. According to the American Cancer Society, here are a few of the most common types of hospice services provided for patients:

Palliative care

Palliative care, or symptom management, is provided as a part of hospice and is designed to prevent or treat any symptoms related to an individual’s illness. Palliative care helps address any pain or discomfort in order to allow the patient to enjoy the last stage of life with their loved ones. The main goal of palliative care is to ensure the patient is comfortable and knows their options.

Home care

Most hospice care is given directly from an individual’s home. However, there may be some situations where hospice care needs to be given from a hospital or long-term care facility. A hospice team can arrange for care no matter where you are, and will be involved with your care plans and family members.

Spiritual care

In addition to managing pain and controlling symptoms, hospice care also provides an individual with spiritual or religious care, depending on their beliefs and preferences. Spiritual care can help an individual prepare to say goodbye to their loved ones to with planning a religious or spiritual ceremony and burial plans.

Family meetings

A hospice care team will meet regularly with family members and keep them informed about their loved one’s condition and help manage expectations. These meetings allow family members to discuss their feelings, ask questions and prepare for the death of their loved one. In addition, the hospice care team will share daily updates and make routine visits.

Coordination of care

The hospice care team is responsible for coordinating care for the individual and sharing information to those involved in providing medical care. This might include an inpatient facility, pharmacists, clergy and even funeral directors. Hospice care teams are also available anytime during the day or night if a question or problem were to arise.

Respite care

Caregiving can be extremely challenging for spouses and other family members. That’s why hospice services provide respite care. During respite care, an individual is cared for in the hospital or a nursing home so their caregivers can rest at home, attend to other responsibilities or simply take a break.

Bereavement care

After a loved one dies, the hospice care team will provide support to the family during the grieving process. Trained volunteers, clergy members or professional counselors will provide visits, phone calls, support groups or counseling sessions to members of the family. The hospice care team can also provide resources and other professional care when needed.

Who makes up a Hospice Care Team?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a hospice care team is made up of professionals ranging from healthcare providers to volunteers and home health aides. If you or your loved one is receiving hospice care, here’s who you can expect to be on your care team:

  • Doctors. Those who receive hospice care will be under the supervision of a primary care doctor, hospice doctor or medical director. Each patient will be able to choose their primary doctor who will oversee their care.
  • Nurses. Nurses will provide care in any setting, depending on where the individual is receiving hospice services. Nurses are also responsible for coordinating the hospice care team.
  • Home health aides. Home health aides provide additional support with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating and other routine tasks.
  • Spiritual counselors. Chaplains, priests, lay ministers and other spiritual counselors or advisers can help provide spiritual care and guidance to the individual receiving care and their family members.
  • Social workers. Social workers provide counseling, support, and referrals to other support systems and resources both for the patient and their families.
  • Pharmacists. Pharmacists provide medication management and offer suggestions on how to best relieve symptoms and manage pain.
  • Volunteers. Trained volunteers often provide a variety of services including respite care, transportation services and help with additional needs.
  • Other professionals. Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy when needed.
  • Bereavement counselors. Trained bereavement counselors offer support and guidance to family members after the death of their loved one.

Benefits of Hospice Care

Watching a loved one go through their final stages of life is hard for everyone involved. Hospice care provides comprehensive care that supports both the individual and their family members through this difficult time. While hospice can be provided in a hospital or long-term care facility, it can also be provided in the comfort of one’s own home, which allows patients to feel more comfortable and relaxed. Hospice also provides a comprehensive care plan, which takes the burden off of family members and allows them to spend quality time with their loved one without worry for the future. In addition, hospice care can be personalized to fit the needs of the individual and support their wishes for the future.

Making Cardio a Part of Your Life

Old Man doing workouts in GYM

As we age, our bodies undergo physical changes that can impact our activity levels and the way we function day-to-day. However, research suggests that physical decline associated with aging is linked to increased inactivity, rather than aging itself. Starting a regular exercise program can help delay and reduce the effects of aging and even reverse some of the decline that’s occurred already. Cardiovascular exercise, while important at any age, is beneficial to older adults looking to start a fitness routine. In fact, cardiovascular exercise can help lower resting heart rate, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and help lower the risk of heart disease. In addition, cardio can help with weight management, increase lung capacity, help strengthen bones, and decrease stress and anxiety. Implementing cardio into your daily life doesn’t have to be daunting. According to the American Heart Association, just 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, or 30 minutes for 5 days, can help improve overall cardiovascular health and provide many benefits.

Cardiovascular Exercises for Seniors

The most important element of any exercise routine is that you keep your body moving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying as active as your body allows. This means sitting less and moving more. As you begin to implement cardiovascular exercises into your routine, it’s important to focus on low-impact forms of exercise, and tone down the intensity of your workouts until you build strength and stamina.

Walking is a safe and easy form of cardiovascular exercise that can be done pretty much anywhere. You don’t need to use equipment, however, walking on a treadmill gives you the ability to control difficulty level. Walking on an incline can help build muscle, strengthen the heart, and improve balance. The National Institute on Aging suggests walking in a mall for exercise to avoid environmental factors such as inclement weather and tripping hazards, such as uneven pavement. 

Weight bearing cardio and strength training are both important elements of a cardiovascular exercise routine. Weight-bearing cardio exercises, like playing tennis and dancing, not only strengthen your heart and muscles, but also improve bone health, which is especially important for older adults. Strength training is linked to a decreased risk of disease, longer life expectancy and overall well-being. If you plan to add in strength training exercises to your routine, be sure to seek professional help, especially if you are a beginner. A personal trainer can show you effective exercises and proper form to help prevent injury.

Swimming is a low impact cardiovascular exercise that is great for individuals with joint pain and osteoporosis. Water aerobic exercises is also a safe option that allows you to reap the same benefits of other cardiovascular exercises. Group exercises led by an instructor can help keep you safe, accountable and motivated.

What is Intensity?

Cardiovascular exercises can be adapted to meet anyone’s physical ability, but it’s important to consider the frequency and intensity of an exercise before setting a routine. Aerobic or cardiovascular activities elevate the heart rate and strengthen the heart muscles by improving overall cardiorespiratory fitness. Intensity refers to how hard your body is working during a physical activity. As you get stronger, the intensity of a particular exercise can change.  

To reap the health benefits of cardiovascular exercise, moderate to vigorous-intensity activities are recommended. Examples of moderate activities include water aerobics, tennis, biking, and brisk walking. These activities will increase your heart rate and cause you to breathe harder, but you should still be able to talk. Vigorous exercise will force you to work a little harder. Sweating and heavy breathing will occur, and you might find it more difficult to have a conversation. These activities include hiking uphill, swimming laps, heavy yardwork, and running. If you prefer vigorous exercise, the American Heart Association, recommends just 75 minutes of activity per week. Remember, it’s important to consult your doctor before adding in new exercises to your routine or preforming vigorous physical activities.

How Should I Get Started?

It’s never too late to improve your fitness level but having a plan in place can help you stay on track to achieve your goals. If you’re wondering make cardio a part of your life, here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

Know your limits

Before you start any new fitness routine, it’s important to get cleared by your healthcare provider. Scheduling an annual physical examination before trying any new exercises will help keep you safe and avoid injury. This would be a good time to ask if any medications you’re taking, especially for blood pressure and heart disease, will affect your ability to exercise. Ask your doctor to identify any symptoms to watch out for during exercise, such as chest tightness, irregular heart beat or joint pain.

Create a plan

If you have an exercise plan put into place, you’re more likely to see better results and stay motivated longer. When your motivation goes away, self-discipline is more likely to kick in if you have a set routine. As you create your action plan, identify which exercises you will do, the intensity level, the length of the workout, and the frequency. For example, you might start with 30 minutes of water aerobics for three days a week and 30-minute walks for the other two days. After four weeks or so, you may need to reexamine your fitness routine and change the level of intensity or add in weight-bearing exercises.

Get creative

Exercise is not supposed to a daunting task or something we dread to do each day. In fact, it’s important to look at exercise as a way of honoring of our bodies and all they do for us. While walking and swimming are great cardiovascular exercises, another way to stick to your plan is to do activities you love. Playing in the park with your grandkids, dancing, or even doing simple chair exercises while you watch your favorite TV show are great ways to get in some physical activity while also having fun.

Staying Active at Maple Knoll Communities

At Maple Knoll Communities, we offer a variety of ways to add cardiovascular exercises into your daily routine. Regularly scheduled exercise classes, water aerobics, and our wellness center are available to all residents, as well as personal trainers and coaches. To learn more about our offerings or to schedule a tour, please contact us.