Hospice is a word that can bring up many emotions - and misconceptions as well. This week Lori invites Donna French to dispel the myths, who serves as a community liaison with Archway Hospice. With 20 years of senior living experience, she has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for hospice education.

Donna explains how hospice isn’t necessarily a last-minute service when death is only days away, and it doesn’t have to be a terrible, sad experience. Patients qualify for six months of care at a time (which can be renewed), and hospice professionals craft unique plans of care for each individual’s situation.

Plus, hospice alleviates stress for families by providing a band of home health aids, chaplains, and nurses who are just a phone call away. With the resources to help patients live comfortably and happily, hospice can promote a better quality of life in patients' remaining time on earth.

Takeaways from this episode:
- Hospice is for anyone, at any age, with a terminal diagnosis and an estimated time frame of 6 months or less.
- There’s no out-of-pocket expense for hospice care, whether it’s through Medicare or your insurance.
- Discussing end-of-life plans with hospice workers ahead of time can help them help you once the time comes – allowing you to spend time with loved ones when the time comes and begin the grieving process.
- Hospice offers personalized care for not only the patient, but the family. Many relationships develop and it relieves caregiver stress.
- The service doesn’t only apply to those “actively dying” and offers care that helps patients live more comfortably.
- If you’re in independent living, residential care homes, assisted living, etc., you still have access to hospice care as the team can follow patients wherever they go.

Topics covered:
- Hospice care
- Home health aids
- Terminal illness
- Quality of life
- Support during terminal diagnosis
- Emotional support for families
- Medicare coverage

To reach Donna and to learn more about Archway Hospice please visit:
https://archwayhospice.com/
info@archwayhospice.com
(469) 290-6100
https://www.facebook.com/ArchwayHospice
https://www.linkedin.com/company/archway-hospice

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email Lori@Loriwilliams-seniorservices.com or reach out online:
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https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/