A hospice is a home that is set aside to care for those who are sick, especially the terminally ill. Some conditions such as cancer are difficult to handle at home, mostly at the later stages of the disease. Hospice care is meant to ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible by managing their pain levels and showing them love and utmost care. Hospice care also involves preparing patients for their final moments and preparing their families for what is to come.
A hospice is a very special place and before starting a hospice, you should be equipped with all the knowledge and tools to run such a facility. In this blog, we are going to outline some of the major requirements for setting up hospice care.
An Ideal Location
You cannot just open up a hospice anywhere. The perfect location for a hospice is a quiet and serene environment with a beautiful and captivating view for your patients. Most hospices are usually located in the countryside, away from the noise of the city. A location near a lake or river is also conducive as such an environment can provide mental healing for terminally ill patients. This is the most important aspect when it comes to hospice care, and you should take your time with it. Ask your realtor to help you find cabins in the woods or a home near the ocean.
Hospice Licenses
A hospice is just like any other practice, and you cannot operate without the necessary licenses. Before commencing any kind of operation, ensure that you have the authority to do so from the local government. If you are found running a hospice without permits and licenses, you risk getting hefty fines or even jail time. You will also need a tax ID as you will be paying taxes from your business. To be on the safe side, seek legal counsel so as to be aware of what is required from you by the law as a hospice care owner.
Medical Equipment
Hospice patients require constant medical attention and you cannot be able to provide them with that without the necessary medical equipment. Invest in machines such as blood pressure monitors, defibrillators, first aid kits, stethoscopes, thermometers, among others. Terminally ill patients also need oxygen which is generated by the use of activated liquid zeolite and put in oxygen tasks for patients.
You will also need furniture like patient beds, chairs and many more. You need a proper budget to be able to handle all these in order to acquire the best for your patients. Remember, these are very delicate people who should be provided with nothing but the best.
Medical Practitioners
If you are not a trained medical professional then you will need to hire medical practitioners to care for the patients in your hospice. You need specialized doctors and nurses with a good record who can provide the care that hospice patients need. A counselor is also needed to provide guidance and comfort to patients together with their families. Hospice patients also need 24/7 attention so you should ensure that you have adequate staff who can manage day and night shifts.
If you are just starting out and you cannot afford full-time medical professionals then you can have a few as part-time but always ensure that there is someone on standby whenever a patient needs immediate intervention. On-call doctors can also work for you as long as they are not so far away from your location.
Food, Water
As we have already mentioned, a hospice is a home, and a home has to have food, water, and other basic needs. You can install your own water treatment system with the help of large valve manufacturers in your country or across the world. This will ensure that your patients get access to clean water that is safe for consumption. In addition to your medical staff, it is also important to have several other individuals to help with cleaning, cooking, and providing non-medical care to patients. Ensure that your hospice is as comfortable as possible for your patients, so they do not get homesick.
Ensure Safety in Your Hospice
A hospice should be a safe space where your patients are free to move around and mingle with one another. However, do not ignore the fact that safety is a concern when different individuals from different backgrounds are put together in one place. Some locations might also be unsafe and you might have to invest in extra security measures to protect your premises. Other safety measures include covid 19 safety protocols such as the washing of hands, wearing of masks, and social distancing. Terminally ill patients already have a weakened immune system and getting exposed to the coronavirus will just make things worse for them.
Conclusion
Hospice care is both helpful to patients and their families. It is not easy to watch your loved one in constant pain, and this is why most families opt for hospice care for their sick loved ones. Facing death is also difficult, and a lot of counseling is required to help patients make peace with their illness and accept that they are in their final months of life. This is why you should ensure that your hospice is the best final place for your patients by making them feel loved and cared for.
