Three things caregivers in Florida now need

Care for a loved one with a severe illness is one of the most difficult experiences faced by a family.

Florida has one of the best senior populations, so there is a significant need for comprehensive hospice care. Through more than 20 years of experience as a nursing home administrator and senior living enforcement officer, I have first hand witnessed the important importance of integrating caregiver journeys with comprehensive hospice care. I’ve seen this hundreds of times, and in almost every instance, hospice care has created a better route for caregivers to navigate end-of-life care, both for caregivers and for caregivers.

Florida has 2.3 million caregivers who navigate this reality every day. In today’s complex healthcare environment, several important factors can help reduce the burden of caring for your loved one at home.

Care is provided to suit your specific needs

Patients need caring, disease-specific care routes tailored to their unique needs. Whether patients face cancer, heart failure, or advanced Alzheimer’s disease, their care plans should be specifically designed for the possible trajectory of their condition, and ensure that symptoms are effectively managed and emotionally supported. When care is adjusted in this way, patients experience better symptoms relief, fewer unnecessary hospital visits, reduced treatment costs, and more meaningful time with their families.

Access to the provider’s network.

The team of experts we work with must coordinate hospice care. Caregivers should have access to nurses, medical directors, social workers and professionals who work with them to provide the best possible care. For example, Gentiva, a leading hospice provider that already serves 12,000 Florida families, does this in collaboration with patients’ primary care physicians and medical teams. A well-integrated team ensures proactive care and ensures that patient wishes are respected.

Prioritize the needs of family caregivers

Family caregivers have the brunt of their responsibility to manage the care of their loved ones – they have rarely coordinated doctor visits, administered medications, and made critical decisions. The right hospice provider ensures that families struggle alone. 24/7 access to face-to-face registered nurses reassures that medical professionals are always available when needed. A system that provides 24-hour support ensures that caregivers have the resources and backup they need to focus on what is most important.

Ensuring quality hospice care for Floridians can help them control financial and personal costs across the state. Studies show that patients receiving hospice care are less hospitalized, have improved symptoms control and improved mental well-being. While Florida Healthcare Administration has the opportunity to make hospice care available to those who need it most, the state also needs to ensure that the highest quality providers meet this gap. Florida families deserve hospice care that not only provides comfort to patients, but also supports them through caregivers at every stage.

Marvell Adams, Jr. is CEO of Caregiver Action Network