Hospice is considered for those who have decided to shift the focus of their care from curative treatments to palliative care, which aims to improve the quality of life and manage symptoms.
While hospice is commonly associated with cancer patients, services are also available for individuals with other life-limiting conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.
For Americans living with heart failure, hospice can be a welcome option when the disease has progressed to its end stage.
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to support the body’s need for blood and oxygen. Over time, this will cause organs to receive less blood and lose proper function. There are a several treatments to combat congestive heart failure, but when these options start to not be effective, hospice should be considered.
At Journey Hospice, staff provide support to individuals and their loved ones during an advanced illness, ensuring that every person’s journey of life is allowed to end with dignity, compassion, and comfort.
“Heart failure patients can have an array of symptoms. These symptoms can include, pain, breathlessness, depression, fear, and insomnia,” explains Francine Turley, Director of Nursing, Journey Hospice. “In most patients the fear of breathlessness causes greater anxiety, leading to psychological pain versus physical pain. Therefore, we would treat this pain differently, using anti-anxiety medications rather than pain medications. Hospice can manage their needs with symptoms and physical limitations, as well as emotional needs.”
All hospice patients receive a care team, which includes registered nurses, certified home health aides, chaplains and social workers as well as massage therapists and volunteers.
Turley added that it is important to provide individual care based on the needs and wants of the patients. “Each plan of care is personally tailored and is designed to nurture the individual based on their needs.”
She added that what makes the hospice unique is twofold. “Our staff has been with us for a long time, which says something about our program. In addition, our organization offers a palliative care program, available when the person is not ready, or currently doesn’t qualify, for hospice. This program is overseen by our nurse practitioners, who can make a smooth transition into hospice when the individual is ready.”
Journey Hospice is ACHC accredited, is recognized as a We Honor Veterans Hospice Partner Level Three, and an Annual CVAC’s Business of the Year in 2023.
Our specialized hospice care team is available to assist in making the right choices for each individual’s personal journey. Journey Hospice is located at 6712 Washington Avenue Suite 302, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. For more information, call 609-380-4302.
