There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the type of care you or your loved one may need. While researching for End of Life Photography various terms popped up on my searches. Each one led me down another path and another path. Continually leaving me feeling overwhelmed and no wiser to my initial endeavor.
I couldn’t help but think how frustrating it could be for someone who is going through a difficult time. Trying to find information for themselves or a loved one only to come across the same overwhelming amount of information and not knowing which way to turn. Even now as I decided to write this information, my search came up with yet another term that I will be adding. It is my hope to give you an insight to the basics of each term to eliminate some of the confusion and help you make your own educated decision.
Let’s begin with Respite Care. This is actually help for the caregivers. Although caregiving can be rewarding it also can be draining. There are great days filled with the feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment, and there are hard day. Days that leave the caregiver filled with anger, resentment or even guilt. This can be challenging and if you paying attention it can drain you completely.
It is difficult to put yourself “first” when a loved one is need. Remember, if you don’t take care of yourself you will not be able to take care of your loved one. Not just physically, but probably more importantly, emotionally. Don’t be ashamed or guilt ridden to ask for help.
Compassionate Care. This term is the “new” term that recently appeared on my searches. It intrigued me because another term for End of Life Photography is Compassion Photography. This new term confused me. Please note, my definition of “new” term is only because I recently stumbled upon it. It may in fact have been around much longer and I didn’t come across it. From my understanding from my research of Compassionate Care, it is the medical and emotional care for patients with terminal diseases from the medical staff. This service can also be intertwined with Respite Care and Palliative Care. According to the following article at https://www.sondercare.com/learn/senior-homecare/what-difference-compassionate-care-senior-care/ “The services are a specialized form of healthcare, and the goal is to provide the person living with the terminal illness with comfort, dignity and the best quality of life.” I believe this service is more-so directed for healthcare workers.
My confusion lies in the thought that this type of care was already present. It used to be called bedside manner. I guess my confusion is why isn’t compassion already a priority?
Onward to Palliative Care: Palliative care is the medical care for someone living with a serious illness. With Palliative Care one receives treatment for the symptoms, such as pain management, along with treatment with the intent to cure the illness. Palliative Care can help one with a serious illness possibly improve their quality of life. It also help one understand their choices for any medical treatment.
Hospice Care.
Hospice care is focused on the quality of life, not curing the illness. Hospice available toward the end of one’s life when a cure is not possible or one decides to not to continue with any life-prolonging treatment. Usually to qualify for Hospice Care a physician estimates your current life expectancy is 6 months or less.
However, one can be on Hospice Care for longer or even discharged from Hospice Care. The physicians can only estimate the life expectancy. The emphasis of Hospice Care is quality of life through comfort and care during this time.
End of Life Care. End of Life Care is one aspect of Hospice Care. End of Life Care is provided when one is in the last stages of life. End of Life Care focuses more on those who are ready to stop treatments. This type of treatment can help one prepare for moving forward from this life emotionally and spiritually. It further provides support for the surviving loved one’s.
Conclusion:
It appears that all the types of care referenced above have the goal of “quality of life” for those who are facing terminal illness and their loved ones. The directive of care may alter between them somewhat, but essentially the care is based not only on the need of the terminally ill, but their choices and their loved ones.
Another common comment I noticed through my research is the importance of getting care early. The earlier one is able to get the necessary care to help the more “quality of life” they will have to experience and share.
I hope this helps distinguish between the various types of care offered to those facing a difficult phase and possibly alleviate some of the angst that comes with your searches.
Best Wishes
