Do I need Hospice?
Has your loved one:
• Been hospitalized or been to the ER several times in the past 6 months?
• Been making frequent phone calls to his/her physician?
• Spent most of the day in a chair or their bed?
• Fallen several times recently?
• Started using medication to alleviate their physical pain?
• Needed assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, getting out of bed or walking?
• Experienced weight loss?
• Felt weak or tired?
• Noticed shortness of breath?
• Been told that life expectancy is limited?
If you answered YES to many of these questions, it may be time to consider hospice. Hospice is NOT giving up. A patient in the final phase of life may receive hospice care for as long as necessary when a physician certifies that he or she continues to meet eligibility requirements. Give us a call. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
What's Included?
Hospice care can include medical services, emotional support and spiritual encouragement for patients and families. Our staff also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for someone with a terminal illness.
Hospice team members include the patient’s doctor, nurses and nursing assistants, pharmacists, social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers. Other care providers may participate as needed. Hospice care is tailored to each family’s needs and can include:
• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Patient and family education
• Medical equipment as needed
• Catheter care
• Respite services, provided both in the home and in the hospital setting
• Companionship from specially trained volunteers
• Assistance with financial concerns and advance directives
• Grief support before and after the patient’s death
• On-call support around the clock
Who pays for Hospice?
Hospice is provided regardless of one’s ability to pay. Hospice is paid for by the Medicare Hospice Benefit and most private insurances. If a person does not have coverage through Medicare or private insurance, hospice will work with the person and their family to ensure services can be provided.