Each month various health-related topics are highlighted, bringing awareness and support throughout the nation. November is dedicated as hospice and palliative care month. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice (VNA & BWH) is proud to provide both services to the community. VNA & BWH is unique in providing the area’s only dedicated hospice home, in addition to in-home hospice and palliative care.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is comprehensive treatment directed at the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of a serious illness. It does not replace primary treatment provided by the patient’s physician. Instead, it works in conjunction with the primary treatment plan with a goal to prevent and/or ease suffering while improving quality of life for the patient.

Studies have shown that patients who receive palliative care report improvement in:

• Pain and other distressing symptoms, such as nausea or shortness of breath.
• Communication between their doctors and family members.
• Living longer with a better quality of life.
• Emotional support.

Patients involved with palliative care have stated comfort in knowing their care is in alignment with their wishes, while meeting their emotional and spiritual needs.

The palliative care program at VNA & BWH works directly with the patient’s physician to evaluate and manage pain and/or side effects of a disease that is chronic with acute exacerbations. Through weekly in-home registered nurse visits and hospice consultations, experts assess the patient, educate patients and caregivers, while designing a plan of care to meet the needs of the patient. Plans address pain and symptom management, reduce risk for hospitalization, relief for caregivers, and ongoing care assessment.

What is hospice care?

Hospice care starts after treatment for the disease has ended. Typically, patients under hospice care have six months or less to live. During this final phase of a terminal illness, care is focused on comfort versus cure. The goal is for patients to live their remaining days as comfortable and pain-free as possible, while focusing on quality of life and not quantity of life.

In-home care gives the patient the comfort of their home and surroundings in their final days. However, if patients choose, VNA & BWH offers the unique Blue Water Hospice Home with 12 private patient rooms and 24/7 hospice certified care providers. The Blue Water Hospice Home is located on more than 30 acres tucked into the serene woodlands of Marysville with a beautiful 2.5 acre pond highlighting the natural and soothing wildlife.

The hospice program at VNA & BWH is designed to provide comprehensive, holistic, end-of-life care. Patients and families facing a life-limiting illness receive services focusing on comfort measures and emotional support. Under hospice-certified professional staff, VNA & BWH provide physical care and expertise in pain and symptom control, as well as addressing the emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of both patient and family. All of these services are provided under supervision of the patient’s physician and hospice medical director. And, afterward, ongoing support for family and friends is available.

Receiving the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness can be devastating and confusing. It is imperative to get help for both the patient and caregivers. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice can help guide you through. VNA & BWH offers a continuum of care – including private duty, in-home health care, and the hospice suite of care.

Learn more about palliative and hospice services as well as all of the care offered through VNA & BWH at www.vnabwh.com or call (810) 984-4131 for a free in-home consultation.

Since 1952, Visiting Nurse Association has provided a continuum of care including home health care, palliative care, private duty, and hospice care to the people of St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer, and Macomb counties. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health care to any patient and family member with short-term, long-term, or end-of-life care. Learn more about the services offered by VNA/BWH by visiting www.vnabwh.com.