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topic | preparing for end of life - final days
Step 2: determine if a change of residence is required
Diagnosis of a terminal condition will precipitate a discussion regarding any changes of housing. Taking into account the loved one's current residence, services and options to consider include:
- At home supplemented with home health care. Home health care provides a wide array of services that are usually less expensive and more convienient than a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
- Additional needs can also be provided through home health care at an independent living facility. This is a commmunity environment that allows seniors to be on their own, but have the availability of
transportation, recreational activities, meals, and housekeeping.
- Assisted living is similar to independent living, except that residents also receive assistance with the basic activities of daily
living, including grooming, excercise, and medicines (in some states).
- Nursing homes: These facilities provide nursing care for
people who cannot live in an assisted living environment. They are
provided with 24 hour care and medicines for their treatment.
- Hospice provides humane and compassionate care for those with a terminal condition. Care may be provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and may be given in the patient's home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility.
Considerations affecting choice of the options above include current housing, healthcare requirements, life expectancy, family dynamics, financial status, and end of life preferences.
Factors for consideration include:
- day-to-day medical needs
- safety
- environmental security
- dietary requirements
- general comfort
Also consider capabilities of the current care giver. Have time, physical requirements, and healthcare skills become too burdensome for the current care giver?
Best Practices
Safety is a very important part of this activity. For example, 'is it time to take away the car keys?' Automobiles are the mark of independence. Approaching this subject should be thought through.
Life expectancy impacts housing options available.
- Generally speaking, hospice is a last resort. Physician certification that there is less than six months of life expectancy is required.
- Home care may be a viable option if the expected remaining life is short, but may not be appropriate for a long-term situation.
- Nursing homes typically cater to long-term situations.
Many dynamics impact the choice of where to spend the final months:
- possible feelings of abandonment by the loved one
- family consensus
- financial issues
- distance from family, friends, and familiar surroundings
Estimate total expenses for end-of-life care and assess available Medicare, Medicaid, insurance coverage, and family resources.
- under the care of a doctor and receive services ordered by the doctor
- certified by the doctor that one or more of the following servcies are required: intermittent killed nursing, physical threrapy, speech-language patholodgy
- medicare approved facility
- 'homebound'
Best Practices
Elder Law attorneys negotiate Medicare reimbursement. We recommend contacting an attorney that specializes in Elder Law.
It is recommended that a Medicare specialist and the attending physician (see Medical Contacts) be contacted prior to making any commitment to a change of residence.
If the families cannot come to a consensus on a long term plan, they might consider asking clergy, the attending physician, or a non-partisan friend for guidance.
Best Practices
Geriatric Care Managers are skilled in care planning, crisis intervention, moving to or from care centers, etc. They are particularly helpful in assisting distant relatives with the management of an elder person. To find a Geriatric Care manager, enter your zip code in the box on the left and click on Home Health Care providers or go to www.caremanager.org.
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