When it comes to providing proper education, recreational activities, and resources for its residents, Watertown appears to do an A+ job. The community-oriented school system for youth, the number of job opportunities, as well as programs for those that are in a situation that makes it difficult to earn an income are all an integral part of the town. However, one thing we must consider when discussing an area’s means of caring for its population, we must not only think of the resources a town provides for its residents to live a happy and healthy life, we must also consider its resources for when people are nearing the inevitable end of their lives whether that be from old age or an unfortunate diagnosis.

End-Of-Life Care in General

When it comes to end-of-life care, there are a number of things that must be taken into consideration – a person’s personal wishes, the organization of one’s will and finances, the struggle of immediate family members, among a number of other things. In terms of making sure that an individual’s personal preference of care is being considered, especially when they are unable to communicate their desires, it is crucial that both an Advanced Directive form as well as a “MOLST” (medical orders for life sustaining treatment). An Advanced Directive indicates an individual’s explicit wishes for end-of-life care as well as designates a proxy to make any crucial medical decisions if the patient is unable to do so. A “MOLST” is typically a form filled out by a physician based on a patient’s wishes and is used in case of an emergency in which possible life saving measures are likely to be taken (such as indicating that they would not desire to be resuscitated).

Residential Homes

If it is decided by the patient and/or the family members of the patient to be placed in a residential home during this time, Watertown and its surrounding areas possess a number of both nursing homes as well as hospice care homes.

*Quick Note – Hospice care is a form of palliative care that is typically provided when a patient has received a poor prognosis and does not wish for any life sustaining treatment to be provided. If a patient is placed on hospice, much of the daily routine care is completed by either family members and/or volunteers but they are visited by medical professionals in an effort to make this period of their lives as comfortable as possible.

Both Regional Hospice Home (https://regionalhospicect.org/watertown-ct-hospice-care/) as well as VITAS Healthcare (https://www.vitas.com/care-services/inpatient-hospice-care) provide inpatient hospice care services in the Watertown are. More information about the specifications of these organizations can be found at their websites. The decision to place a loved one in a residential home can be extremely difficult for a family, but in some circumstances in which the family members know they will be unable to provide sufficient care, it can be the best option.

In-Home Care

If it is decided by the patient and/or the family members of the patient to avoid being placed in a residential home but that they would still choose to have professional medical care, there are a number of companies in the Watertown area that provide at home care (either palliative or hospice). Two organizations, All About You! Home Care Services (https://www.aayct.com) and Home Instead Senior Care (https://www.homeinstead.com) offer care that is based on family/patient and provider cooperation. Care plans are based upon patient specific needs such as type of care, frequency of care, etc. Therefore, this form of end-of-life care can be extremely beneficial for those families that would prefer for their loved ones to continue residing in their homes but still understand the need for proper medical care.

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