Coming to terms with the end-of-life of a loved one can be a highly challenging and emotional time. While choosing a hospice care agency may feel like a daunting task, it is crucial to be as informed as possible in order to know that you are making the best decision for you and your loved one as they enter the final stage of their life. Because the majority of hospice care agencies follow strict Medicare guidelines, the basic services provided by this type of specialized healthcare are fundamentally the same across the board. This is why many families opt for a large, well-established and reputable agency during their search for hospice care.
However, when it comes to choosing the best hospice care agency for your loved one, it is important to understand why choosing an agency solely based on size, name and reputation is not always the best choice. We at Journey Hospice Care Inc. are a small, locally owned agency providing hospice and palliative care services in Upland, California. Our culture is centered and rooted in providing individualized, collaborative, and innovative care and support for terminally ill patients and their families. Below are 3 reasons why you should consider a small, locally owned hospice care agency for your loved one.
Build a Relationship With the Care Team
At Journey Hospice Care Inc. our staff is fairly small, allowing your family to build a close and trusting relationship with our team of Palliative Care Professionals. Each of our team members is committed to excellence and service, and provides ongoing emotional support for the patient and their loved ones during the end-of-life journey.
Local Means Faster Response Time
By choosing a small, locally owned agency, you’ll find comfort in knowing your loved ones’ hospice care team is always close by, allowing for faster response times. We have nurses available to provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week who answer phone calls day and night and are able to respond within minutes, if needed. We also have support services on call, such as spiritual counselors, social workers, pharmacists, volunteers, speech, physical and occupational therapists, and bereavement counselors as well.
We Treat You Like Family
At Journey Hospice Care Inc. we treat each and every patient and their family as we would a family member. Not only will we treat you like family but you’ll really feel like you’re a part of our family too. By choosing a small hospice and palliative care agency like Journey Hospice Care Inc. you’ll have the opportunity to get to know and be directly involved with each member of your loved ones’ hospice care team. We ensure that patients and families come first and provide care beyond industry standards and patient expectations.
Does My Loved One Need Hospice Care?
Understanding and being able to identify potential signs that your loved one may be in need of hospice care can significantly reduce anxiety, allowing you to better honor their wishes as they near the end of their life.
Here are a few signs that it may be time to consider hospice care:
- Their symptoms are getting harder to manage.
- They’re visiting the doctor or ER more frequently.
- They need a lot more help than they used to.
- They are losing weight for no apparent reason.
- They are experiencing recurring infections.
- Their level of functioning is beginning to decline.
- Standard treatment is no longer working.
Some of the most common illnesses in hospice care are:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Alzheimer’s disease (and other forms of dementia)
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Kidney failure
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
To learn more about our hospice and palliative care services in Upland, California, visit us online at https://journeyhospicecareinc.com/ or speak with a team member at (909) 252-7073. We can also be reached via email at [email protected].