Hospice is not a place -- Hospice is a philosophy, or model for care, designed and administered to provide end of life treatment to patients and their families. Providing them maximum independence, comfort, compassion, communication and dignity. The hospice team will continue to provide bereavement care to the family for one year after a loved one's death.
Individuals and their families need to understand that a choice for hospice care is the choice to receive intensive and hopeful end of life care. Hospice care can take place wherever the patient resides, within the home, a home of family member or loved one, a nursing or assisted living facility or a hospice unit.
Hospice care stresses quality of life - peace, comfort and dignity. Quality of life is addressed by symptom and pain control and providing emotional and psychological support to end of life individuals and their families. Many times when aggressive treatments are concluded, individuals will have decreased symptoms and have increased energy. Hospice patients can be monitored by hospice as they travel, to visit family and friends or vacation. Many health professionals believe individuals who are referred to hospice earlier, rather than later, benefit most from hospice care.
Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals - physicians, nurses, social workers, and clergy - as well as family members. Members of the team will make regularly scheduled visits to the home. Hospices also use trained volunteers to visit in the home, help with household chores or give family members respite.
To qualify for hospice admission, an individual must be no longer responding to curative treatment options and the prognosis for life is six months or less if the disease continues its present course. Hospice care can continue past six months with certification from a physician. If an individual's health improves or if the patient or family desires, a patient can discontinue hospice care. Some common diseases and conditions experienced by hospice patients include: cancer, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, stroke, lung disease, renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or a general decline/failure to thrive.
Hospice care is a covered benefit under Medicare and covers all services, medications and equipment related to the hospice illness. This includes: physician services, nursing services, home health aide services, medical equipment, supplies, medication related to the hospice illness, spiritual and psychological counseling and support, social work services, inpatient respite, and 24/7 on-call support.
Medi-cal, Private health insurance policies, HMO's and Tricare also include hospice benefits. Part of the hospice admission process is to verify benefit coverage and advise the patient and family of coverage and co-pays.
Referral to hospice can begin with your physician, case managers from hospitals or care facilities, clergy, family members, or friends. Prior to providing care, the hospice staff will obtain the patient's history and current physical symptoms. Hospice staff will then meet with the patient and their family to discuss hospice services available and expectations.
Although end of life decisions can be difficult, decisions made in advance provide a better outcome in the long run. If you would like further information on hospice care, please contact us.
