Our caring team will assist you and your loved one through this time…
“Hospice matters. The end of life deserves as much beauty, care and respect as the beginning.” – Unknown
When TO consider Hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care that assists those individuals nearing the end of life. It is focused on comfort and quality of life, and supports the needs of the patient and their loved ones.
Only a physician can certify a patient for hospice but the following are signs that may indicate eligibility:
- Frequent hospitalizations
- Not Responding to current treatments or theraphy
- Difficulty breathing, even at rest or with oxygen
- Reoccuring infections
- Not “bouncing back” after an illness
- Weight loss
- Uncontrolled pain
- Increased sleepiness and mental confusion
Services we provide…
Hospice Nurses
Work in collaboration with other members of the care team (such as physicians, case managers, therapist, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers) by coordinating and executing the care plan, addressing patient and family needs, medication administration, and providing support and education to patient and family members.
Hospice Aides
Assist in activities of daily living such as Bathing : shower, bed batch, tub batch; Dressing and grooming; Ambulating; Light housekeeping and Communication with health care team.
Social Workers
Provide supportive counseling to patient and family members/caregivers, assist with referral to needed community resources/services, and help with funeral planning.
Volunteers
Provide respite by allowing family members and caregivers to emotionally recharge and physically refresh through company and support
Therapy and Counseling Services
Provide additional level of support to promote comfort and wholeness for both patients and their families.
Medication
Covers medications that is related to terminal illness or need for pain and symptom management related to your terminal condition.
Bereavement
All members of the family are eligible to receive bereavement services. These services are available for a period of one year following patient’s death.
Spiritual Counselor
Hospice spiritual care is based on a high respect for the patients and caregivers’ personal faith and belief. The hospice spiritual counselor is available to assist patients and families cope with the significant spiritual issues that often arise during terminal illness.
Medical Equipment
Provide medical equipment to help make life easier for your loved one and also help create a peaceful environment.
Levels of Hospice Care
Routine Home Care
Care is provided intermittently by hospice team members in the patient’s or family home or in a nursing care facility.
General Inpatient Care
Care is provided at contractual hospital, skilled nursing facility or inpatient hospice facility for patients who need pain control or acute/chronic symptom management which cannot be managed in other settings. The necessity for inpatient care and paid length of stay will be determined by the hospice interdisciplinary group. If a hospice patient needs hospitalization for any reason unrelated to the terminal diagnosis, traditional medicare Part A will be utilized.
Inpatient Respite Care
Up to five (5) days of respite care at a contractual hospital, nursing care facility or inpatient hospice facility will be paid by hospice, if approved by the hospice interdisciplinary group. This benefit may be used to give the family/caregiver a rest and the patient does not need to meet acuter care standards.
Continuous Home Care
A minimum of eight (8) hours of care per day may be provided during periods of crisis to maintain the patient at home. Criteria for continuous home care are the same as general inpatient care and consist predominantly of nursing care; however, hospice aids or homemakers may also supplement nursing care.
Our Approach
Hospice is…
01
Providing Care
Hospice is a way of providing care wherever a patient is, at home or an institution. Hospice is not a place like hospital.
02
Helping people
Hospice is a way of helping people to live out the remaining time of their lives with as much comfort and dignity as possible. Hospice is not a place to send people to die.
03
Comprehensive Care
Hospice is comprehensive care program for patients and families, which emphasizes quality of life, and is most effective during the final 6 months of life expectancy. Hospice is not a “death bed” service for people in the last 48 hours of life.
04
Care System
Hospice is a care system based upon the rights of people to know accurately and honestly what is happening to them, so they can choose how they want to spend the precious remaining amount of time, in the most purposeful and meaningful way consistent with their wishes and needs. Hospice is not a place to send dying patients so they will not have to know what is happening to them.
05
Available to Patients
Hospice is available to patients of any age, race, sex or religion who have a disease in its final stages. Hospice is not just for cancer patients
06
Family-oriented program
Hospice is a family-oriented program which helps families to care for their loved ones in their place of residence, and provides institutional backup as needed. Hospice is not a substitute for the family or family’s care
HOSPICE TEAM
OUR HOSPICE TEAM
Is committed to helping our patients and families. Nursing staff is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you. Please call if you have questions, concerns or fears.
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is Hospice Care?
It is the care designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness and focus on comfort and quality of life.
Where can I receive hospice care services?
Patients can receive hospice care and services in their home, relative or friend’s home, nursing home, and assisted living facility.
Who pays for Hospice?
For most hospice patients, the cost of hospice care is fully covered by Medicare Hospice Benefit. Medicaid and private insurances also cover hospice.
What happens if I get better while in Hospice care?
A patient may be discharged when they show signs of improvement and is no longer terminally ill and/or in remission.
Does hospice cover equipment and supplies?
Hospice covers basic medical equipment like hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen as well as items like dressing change supplies, continent supplies and medications that is related to the terminal illness.
Who qualifies for hospice care?
Patients whose physicians have given a prognosis of approximately six months or less, if their disease follows its normal progression, quality for hospice care.
Still have questions about our hospice services?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Let’s talk.