At iServe Healthcare, we understand that every patient will have different needs and their care will need to be adjusted accordingly. Here’s everything that you need to know about inpatient care at iServe Hospice.
What is Inpatient Care?
This level of care is provided when patients are no longer able to manage their symptoms at home. Often, these symptoms include severe pain, acute or complex symptoms, and shortness of breath.
What is Included?
During this level of care, the patient’s care team will be hard at work to stabilize intensive pain and other symptoms. The goal is to manage the symptoms so that the patient is stable enough to go back home to in-home hospice care.
Inpatient care will include:
- Symptom and condition evaluation
- Intensive symptom management
- Regular visits and around-the-clock care
- Medication administration
- Emotional support for patients and their families
What to Expect?
At iServe Healthcare, we know that leaving home care and moving into inpatient care can be a big change. Here’s what you can expect from this level of care:
Pain management
The ultimate goal of inpatient care is to stabilize your symptoms and make sure you are living a life that is comfortable and with dignity. Pain management will include a holistic approach to alleviate pain, including:
- Medications like opioids and non-opioid analgesics
- Physical therapies like massage, physiotherapy, hot/cold packs, and exercise to improve mobility
- Psychological therapies like relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Acupuncture
- Music therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Distraction techniques like reading, spending time with loved ones and listening to music
- Spiritual support and counseling
What Qualifies for Inpatient Hospice Care?
How do you know when it’s time for inpatient hospice care? Some indications might include:
- Uncontrolled pain
- Uncontrolled nausea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration
- Sudden deterioration in condition that requires intensive intervention
- Unmanageable respiratory distress
- Wound care requires complex or frequent dressing
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Restless or agitation that is no longer manageable at home
- Minor comfort procedures like inserting a drain tube
Where is Inpatient Care Provided?
Inpatient care is generally provided at hospice or inpatient facilities. Unlike hospitals, these facilities are quieter to make the change from home care less daunting.
