Former First Lady Barbara Bush recently decided with her family that further treatment would be avoided, and instead she would be receiving end of life care. Shortly after this decision was made, she passed away. Regardless of your politics, the Bush family has a special place in the American public eye, and this is a sad event. However, her family’s public decision to pursue palliative care rather than medical treatment was seen as a shock, especially because many people didn’t realize how poor her health was. It is unlikely that this decision was rushed and that it was the right choice for the entire family.
This type of decision is never easy, but it is one that families around the country must make every day. There is a certain appeal to hospice care, especially because it is often a lot cheaper than a hospital stay. Insurance companies are covering hospice and palliative care more widely, although this does vary from insurance company to company. Of course, that is not the primary reason to choose this type of care. It is the care and personal attention that end of life care focuses on that is its main appeal. This is individualized care that focuses on the patient’s needs and happiness.
Mrs. Bush’s decision was certainly a tough one, but it does help to renew the public discussion about hospice and comfort care. This is a valuable service, and many elderly individuals and their families find that it can make a difficult time a little bit easier. Hospice care revolves around comfort and does not seek to treat individuals with medical treatment. Typically, this is because the person in question has a terminal illness and medical treatment will either not be effective, or it will only increase the pain and discomfort that is faced.
For those that might be thinking about hospice care at this point, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s completely normal. This is a period of time that is accompanied by uncertainty and confusion. Speaking with one of our care specialists today about hospice care and how it might help your family can be a good way to get the ball rolling and have your questions answered. You can give us a call and schedule a completely free consultation today. Hopefully, this can get you pointed in the right direction and help you to find the perfect care for your elderly loved one. This is never an easy decision to make, but luckily it’s not something that you need to do on your own. Talking with an expert might be exactly what you need to do the right thing.
Barbara Bush had a long and successful life. In fact, amongst her many achievements, she was involved with the founding of a hospice care home in Washington D.C. many years ago. That one of her final acts would be to bring more attention to this overlooked type of senior care seems fighting. This is a difficult time for the Bush family, but it’s reassuring to know that Mrs. Bush’s life ended peacefully and on the terms she desired.
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