Tips for Finding High Quality Hospice Care

By Ryan Champion of United Methodist Communities at The Shores 
Hospice, compassionate quality of end-of-life care, is there for people when treatment is no longer an option. This makes choosing a provider or service one of the most important decisions for you or your loved one. Here are some tips on finding the right fit:
Shop around. While you may feel pressured to find a provider quickly, it’s better to take some time and evaluate your options. With the surge in providers and services across the country, there are many choices. These will differ according to cost, quality of care, support, location and more, so don’t rush into choosing the first you come across.
Cost doesn’t mean quality. Although the costs of senior and end-of-life care are increasing, that doesn’t mean that you need to select the most expensive option to get the best care. While many hospices run as businesses, others are run by nonprofit organizations as part of their charitable missions. This gives more people in the community access to compassionate and certified senior care services.
Range of services and amenities. It’s important that the hospice neighborhoods offer customized services that can meet your needs. This means you won’t pay for services that you don’t require, and you’ll avoid the necessity for additional care outside the facility. In addition to trained and certified caregivers and nurses, the provider should offer comfort, privacy, and support to patients and families. Additional services that add to the quality of care include onsite gyms, salons, music rooms, gardens, religious services and life enrichment programs.
Meaning in their mission. To find the best fit for you or your loved one, the values of the hospice should match up with your own. For example, while United Methodist Communities is a faith-based organization, we welcome people from all religious backgrounds – spiritual participation is optional. Our aim in our hospice neighborhood is to bring an enhanced level of compassionate care, comfort and attention to detail for this important part of life.
For more information on United Methodist Communities at The Shores, located in Ocean City, visit theshores.umcommunities.org or call (609) 399-8505.