Hospice Care for Parkinson's Disease in Los Angeles

Knowing the Right Time for Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurologic disorder resulting in movement problems and eventually in severe physical and cognitive disability. In Los Angeles, with its large and diverse population and complex healthcare system, the timing and reasons when hospice care becomes significant can be very important to understand. This article will delve deeper into the importance of hospice care in managing this difficult-to-handle condition and identify the optimum time for transitioning to such care.

Why Hospice Care is Important to People with Parkinson's in Los Angeles

Hospice care is a special kind of treatment accorded to the patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal condition where there is no hope for recovery. It comforts and raises the quality of life rather than curing the patient. In patients with Parkinson's disease, hospice treatment can greatly raise the standard of living for the remaining life span by alleviating the suffering symptoms and offering emotional and psychological support.

Benefits of Hospice Care

• Symptoms and discomfort of Parkinson's disease include but are not limited to: tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Symptom management is part of the hospice care services available for increasing comfort for the patient.
• Emotional and Psychological Support: The hospice provides counseling support to both the patient and the family to help understand and cope with ups and downs that may occur during this disease process.
• Personal Care: Every patient's needs and wishes are considered in formulating an individualized plan of care, which may evolve along the disease trajectory.

Determining It's Time for Hospice

The decision to admit a Parkinson's disease patient to hospice is a highly personal decision and it depends on so many factors. However, there are a series of common signs that may suggest this is a feasible option to consider:

• Advanced Disease Stage: When symptoms of Parkinson's disease have reached such a point that they are severe and highly impact the quality of life, hospice is appropriate.
• Increased hospital admissions or complications signal that the current level of care is no longer effective.
• Preference for Comfort-Oriented Care: When the patient's goals of care shift from treatment directed at curing the illness to comfort and quality of life, then hospice may be an option.

Role of the Advanced Directives in Hospice

Advanced directives are legal documents in which patients can state their treatment preferences when they are no longer able to do so. Advanced directives should be prepared early in the disease process for patients with Parkinson's disease. These advance directives guarantee that families and medical service providers honor the will of the patient, specifically end-of-life decisions regarding hospice care access.

How Hospice Care Works for People with Parkinson's Disease

There are a number of hospice care programs in Los Angeles that provide services specifically to address the needs of people with Parkinson's. These are often operated by an interdisciplinary team-which typically includes a doctor, nurse, and social worker, among others-that can provide comprehensive and coordinated care.

Steps to Enroll in Hospice Care

• Discussion with Health Care Providers: Discussion of hospice care should first be opened with the patient's health care team.
• Evaluation by a Hospice Expert: An expert will be in to evaluate the patient to ascertain that hospice treatment is fitting.
• Formulation of Care Plan: Once accepted, a unique care plan is formulated and put into practice.

The Impact of Hospice Care on Families

Transition to hospice care impacts the family just as much as the patient. Usually, at this time, families express a combination of both feelings of relief and sorrow because they realize that hospice care will be comforting, not curing, the patient from the disease. During this time, families may need more support; therefore, hospice care needs to provide family support through guidance with grief counseling and respite care to deal with the psychological burden.

Perennial Hospice Is Here To Help You

Parkinson's disease hospices in Los Angeles provide special, compassionate, comprehensive care to patients afflicted with this neurological disorder. They enable both the patients and their families to continue on life's journey smoothly by the help of medical care, therapy services, emotional, and spiritual support. Indeed, the decision to choose a hospice for Parkinson's disease is one of the most important decisions anyone could ever make, as it may change the tide in the quality of life of a loved one.

Perennial Hospice is a leading hospice service for Parkinson's disease in Los Angeles. It strongly works for the solution to problems for both the patient and the family members. It has a team of experts, specialists, and comprehensive services that help in symptom management related to Parkinson's disease, cater to emotional and spiritual needs, and maximize the quality of life for patients. In essence, perennial hospice is the beacon of light that guides us in what may be considered a daunting journey. In that regard, please feel free to reach out to us or complete the contact form.