What is Hospice?
Hospice is a special way of caring for people who are in the
final stages of life, regardless of diagnosis. The care patients
receive includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual
services.
Hospice also recognizes the needs of the patient’s
family and provides counseling, spiritual, respite and bereavement
services.
The focus of hospice is on care, not cure.
When Should Hospice be Considered?
Hospice is designed to provide the best possible quality of
life for those with life limiting illness. A one time assessment
by a nurse or doctor will be done free of charge to determine
if you or a loved one are eligible for Hospice.
Circumstances may include:
- Increased visits to the hospital, emergency room or
your personal physician
- History of falls
- Unexplained weight loss
- Requiring more assistance for your daily cares
- Requiring more medication to control pain
Remember that the Hospice benefit can provide an improved
quality of life for the patient and the family for several
months prior to their passing. Signing up for Hospice does
not mean one is “giving up” but making a positive
decision to be able to embrace life to its fullest by minimizing
pain and discomfort.
How Long Can Someone Receive Hospice
Care?
Hospice is not limited to a six-month period, but lasts as
long as a patient is eligible based on the progression of
their illness. Hospice care is provided for as long as necessary
when a physician certifies that he or she continues to meet
eligibility requirements.
What Services Do We provide?
- Physician visits
- Nursing visits
- Home health aide and homemaker services
- Social work services
- Spiritual & bereavement services
- Medical equipment & supplies
- Medications related to the terminal diagnosis and pain
treatment
- Volunteer services
How Does Hospice Work?
When you qualify for hospice care, you will have a specially
trained medical team and support staff available to help you
and your family cope with your illness. You, your family,
and your physician work together with our team to create a
plan of care tailored to your specific needs. Hospice comfort
care helps you make the most of the last months of life. Hospice
comfort care includes use of drugs for symptom control and
pain relief, physical care, counseling, equipment, and supplies
to make you as comfortable and pain free as possible.
The hospice benefit allows you and your family to stay
together in the comfort of your home. If you should need care
for your illness in an inpatient hospice facility, hospital,
or nursing home, the hospice medical team will make the arrangements
for your stay.
Our team of licensed professionals is available to our patients
and their families 24 hours a day 7 days a week in case of
emergency.
Interdisciplinary Team:
- Hospice physician / Medical director
- Registered nurse
- Social worker
- Chaplain
- Bereavement coordinator
- Home health aide
- Volunteer
- Administrative staff
Who Pays for Hospice?
Medicare and Medicaid both pay 100% of hospice costs.
Many private insurance providers also offer hospice benefits.
We work with all insurance companies offering hospice benefits,
so you are not burdened with high medical costs.
Hospice is a benefit you have earned and already paid
for by contributing to Medicare all of your life.
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