Physical care of hospice patients goes far beyond assisting with bathing, shaving, and other aspects of daily living. The primary givers of this type of care, after the patient's family or personal caregiver, are hospice's Home Health or Personal Care Aides.
In addition to being highly skilled at offering physical care, Home Health Aides are trained in the hospice philosophy of care. This means they are sensitively aware of what is possible to communicate to patients and teach to families, because of the intimacy and frequency of the care they provide.
The decision to accept assistance with daily care is often difficult for both patients and families. Because of the loss of independence creating the need for greater assistance, patients and families often feel troubled as they first accept this type of help. Home Health Aides take great care to preserve their patients' dignity, and, as all hospice team members do, they show through their approach that they are there to support their patient's autonomy as much as possible.
For family members who may be just learning to assist with the personal care of their loved one, Home Health Aides educate through their actions as well as their words. As one caregiver put it, "I just watched your approach towards my husband and did the same. We've shared warmth and closeness I wouldn't have thought possible."
