Compassionate Home Hospice Care for Kathy in Foley, AL

Client Name: Kathy

Age: 83

Location: Foley, AL

Condition: Late-stage cancer (hospice care)

Living Situation: Alone in her home; widowed

Family Support: Two adult children living out of state, unable to provide daily care

Background

Kathy is an 83-year-old retired librarian. She is known by her neighbors for her warm smile and love of literature. After a year-long battle with metastatic cancer, her medical team recommended transitioning to hospice care. This shift focuses on comfort and quality of life in her final stage. Kathy made it clear that she wanted to remain in her home, filled with decades of memories, rather than move into a facility.

Her adult children live across the country and have demanding work and family obligations. They were heartbroken but unable to relocate or provide the level of care Kathy now requires. While hospice support services through her medical provider offered intermittent nursing visits, Kathy needed non-medical 24-hour support at home. This included everything from repositioning in bed to assistance with feeding, emotional comfort, and companionship.

Challenges

Kathy faced several significant challenges during this delicate time:

• Around-the-clock care: She required help with nearly all activities of daily living (ADLs), including toileting, feeding, bathing, and medication reminders.

• Safety concerns: She was at risk of falls and experienced episodes of disorientation and fatigue, particularly at night.

• Emotional support: Kathy felt anxious about being alone during her final days. She expressed a deep desire for consistent companionship.

• Family burnout risk: Her children tried to visit when possible but found themselves emotionally and logistically overwhelmed.

• Affordability concerns: With the need for 24-hour support, the cost of care quickly became a consideration. The family hoped to find a provider that offered compassionate care with flexible, sustainable pricing.

  
  

Solution: Hospice-Appropriate In-Home Care from Alethia Senior Care

Comprehensive Care Plan

Alethia Senior Care devised a comprehensive hospice care support plan that allowed Kathy to remain safely and peacefully at home while honoring her final wishes. The care was 24/7, with caregivers rotating in 12-hour shifts to ensure consistency.

Care Plan Details

• 24/7 caregiver coverage (two 12-hour shifts per day)

- Assistance with personal care: bathing, toileting, repositioning

- Meal preparation, hydration reminders, and feeding assistance

- Emotional companionship and end-of-life support

- Bedside presence and vigilance, especially during nights

• Coordination with hospice medical team: Caregivers supported medication reminders and pain management schedules outlined by the hospice nurse.

• Family communication: Daily updates provided to her children for peace of mind.

• Compassionate presence: Caregivers were trained in end-of-life care techniques, including comforting touch, soft communication, and spiritual sensitivity.

  
  

Cost Breakdown

The typical hourly rates in Fairhope range from $25 to $30 per hour. However, Alethia offers discounted rates for extended 24-hour care packages to ease financial strain.

• 24 hours/day × 30 days/month = 720 hours/month

• Discounted hospice rate: $23/hour

• Estimated Monthly Cost: $16,560

  
  

This comprehensive approach was more personal and peaceful than institutional care. It allowed Kathy to remain in her familiar environment, maintaining her dignity and grace. In contrast, full-time nursing home or inpatient hospice care can range from $9,000 to $12,000 per month, often with rotating staff and less personal consistency.

Outcome

Kathy’s final weeks were spent peacefully at home, surrounded by the familiar comforts of her life. The consistent presence of caring aides allowed her to relax and share memories. She was even able to smile and laugh during visits from her children. Her family was grateful for the kindness and skill of the caregivers. This support allowed them to be present as loved ones, rather than feeling overwhelmed as full-time caregivers. Kathy passed away quietly, with a caregiver holding her hand, just as she had hoped.

Conclusion

Kathy’s story highlights the powerful role that dignified in-home hospice care plays in life’s most delicate moments. With flexible 24/7 support and compassionate caregivers, Alethia Senior Care helped one family honor their mother’s wishes. They provided her with the peace, privacy, and presence she so deeply deserved. This is the true meaning of Home Care, Your Way.