VNS Health EasyCare: Transitional Concurrent Care (TCC)
TCC is a care approach to help those with advanced illness who may be wary of ending curative treatment and transitioning to hospice.
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Hospice care decisions can be hard. TCC is designed to ease this transition. It allows your loved one to slowly move from curative treatments to hospice care, instead of stopping treatments suddenly.
Curative treatment is just that, treatment that seeks to cure an ailment or rid someone of disease. The most popular examples are antibiotics for bacterial infection and chemotherapy for cancer. In the case of chronic illness that cannot be cured, however, curative treatment seeks to modify the disease to prevent disease progression and lessen the life-threatening impact. Some examples are dialysis, surgery, radiation, organ transplant, gene therapy, and chemotherapy (it's used for both).
Hospice care is comfort care for an advanced illness that is now bringing about the end of life. People are not put into hospice care, they elect it. Hospice requires a remaining life expectancy of no more than 6 months and must be chosen by the person (or their designee) wishing to enter into hospice care. Hospice care seeks to control unpleasant symptoms and increase comfort as much as possible, with a particular focus on pain management and breathing ease. Some examples of hospice treatment are the withdrawal of curative therapies, of course, and the introduction of comfort measures such as medications for anxiety, pain, and secretions, along with aids like pressure-relieving surfaces (cushions, wedges, and mattress overlays), adjustable chairs and beds, and other soothing therapies.
Transitional concurrent care (TCC) addresses continuing care needs, as medically appropriate, for the treatment of the terminal condition. It involves layering in hospice care and services while phasing out curative treatment, so both are happening at the same time for a short period. The overlap enables your loved one to continue getting curative treatment as they (and you) navigate the potentially mentally and emotionally challenging transition to hospice care. For many people and their families, knowing this option is available can make the transition clearer and simpler.
If your loved one is hospice eligible, and they elect hospice, your loved one may also qualify for transitional concurrent care (TCC).
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Helpful is an app to make caregiving easier. We integrate your loved one’s insurance benefits, medical records and caregiving guides into an immediate, accessible and user-friendly experience. Helpful supports your care needs by eliminating administrative tasks and providing technology to support your caregiving experience.
