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The Comfort of Therapy Animals: How a Simple Purr or Paw Can Make a Huge Difference in Long Term Hospice Care

The Comfort of Therapy Animals: How a Simple Purr or Paw Can Make a Huge Difference in Long Term Hospice Care

At Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care, we believe end of life care is more than just medical support. It’s about offering comfort, connection, and dignity at a very vulnerable time. One of the ways we enable patients and their families to take back control against a terminal illness is through our pet therapy program. This is just one of the meaningful ways our Westchester County hospice care facilities support individuals and their families through the final chapters of life with compassion and intention.

Companionship

Hospice care can sometimes feel isolating, and your loved one may even begin to withdraw as their health declines. Whether patients receive care in their own home or one of our hospice care facilities, the presence of a therapy animal can make all the difference. A purring cat in their lap or a therapy dog quietly nudging for a gentle pet creates a sense of companionship that words can’t capture. Families, too, find visits from therapy animals bring moments of joy, relief, and even laughter during a difficult time.

Rekindling Memories

Beyond companionship, therapy animals can also rekindle old memories. For some, it could help them recall a beloved pet from years past. For others, it may spark a memory tied to an animal, outdoor activity, or family story. This opens the door to storytelling and conversation, helping to restore a sense of identity and offering the space to share their life’s experiences and a few smiles, too.

Physical Benefits

Research has shown that spending time in the presence of a therapy animal can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even ease pain and symptoms. The physical and emotional relief brings comfort to everyone involved, including family and care teams.

Our dedicated pet therapist, Joel, has seen these benefits of pet therapy firsthand. He shared his experience visiting with his two beloved pets who bring joy, warmth, and peace to everyone they visit. As Joel likes to say with a smile…

“The joke is whenever I show up with Lucy and Luke, my two dogs, they [patients] go right off hospice.”

To learn more about our Westchester County hospice care, please visit our website to contact us today. We are here to help.

Excellence in Care: Leading Hospice Care Facilities in Westchester County NY

Transforming end-of-life experiences with Westchester County hospice care facilities

A person giving an old man coffee

When facing the challenges of end-of-life care, finding the right hospice facility is crucial for both patients and their families. In Westchester County, numerous options are available, each offering unique services and approaches. We’ll explore the top hospice care facilities in Westchester, and how they can provide comfort, dignity, and support during difficult times.

Undestanding Westchester hospice care facilities

Hospice care facilities provide specialized support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. These facilities enhance quality of life through pain management, symptom control, and emotional support. There are several hospice facilities in Westchester, each with its own set of services. From Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care to other leading providers, these facilities offer compassionate care and personalized support to patients and their families. By exploring the options available, individuals can find the right hospice facility to meet their specific needs and preferences.

Choosing the right hospice facilities in Westchester NY

Here at Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care, we provide support to those battling an illness at home, in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, or in a local New York Presbyterian contracted hospital. With over 30 years in this field, Jansen has provided personalized, compassionate care and unparalleled services to patients whose lives come to an end with peace and dignity.

Jansen’s personalized approach to hospice care invokes peace of mind during a very difficult time for our patients and their loved ones. Helping family members is a crucial part of our mission, our exceptional staff and professionally trained volunteers are available when needed most. Meeting each patient’s unique needs is our hospice team’s focus. Our hospice team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aide clergy, therapists, and volunteers who work closely with the patient’s physician.

Our approach: Westchester County hospice care facilities services

The following are just a few of the many services we offer to our patients and their loved ones whether it’s at home, in Westchester hospice care facilities, or in a New York Presbyterian contracted hospital:

  • 24-hour on-call services and assistance, so we are always available for our patients and their families
  • Medical director who is responsible for overall medical care and planning, with an emphasis on symptom control and pain management
  • Skilled nursing care and visits from a registered nurse who formulates the hospice plan of care in communication with the patient’s physician, including arrangement for medications, supplies, equipment, and additional services as needed
  • Certified social workers who assist with resource and care planning, in addition to providing emotional support
  • Spiritual counseling for all faith communities
  • Bereavement counseling, including individual and group support
  • Specially trained volunteers who provide companionship and assistance with daily living, friendly support, and respite care for caregivers
  • Medications for symptom management and pain control
  • Medical supplies and equipment, as needed
  • Therapies – physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as needed for symptom management
  • Short-term inpatient and respite care for up to five days at contracted facilities
  • Nutritional counseling for our patients
  • Complementary care- also known as integrative therapy, may be used along with standard medical treatments of care to promote relaxation, increase comfort level, and support a sense of well-being.

Hospice care facilities play a vital role in providing comfort and support for individuals facing terminal illnesses. With a focus on compassion and dignity, these facilities offer specialized services to meet the unique needs of each patient. By exploring the options available and choosing the right hospice facility, individuals can find peace of mind knowing that their loved ones will receive the care and support they deserve during this challenging time.

Looking at Westchester hospice care facilities? Our dedicated team at Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide comfort, dignity, and personalized care.

 

My mom continued to decline but I was never alone. The on-call nurses on the after-hours number are amazing. As a first-time care giver their support was invaluable. The Jansen organization has found a way to find truly kind and caring people to employee. I hope you realize how wonderful your staff is. I cannot stress how important the kindness and compassion of your staff is to family members caring for their loved ones. My mom was able to pass away in her home as she wished.

— Robyn