|
What is hospice care?
When should patients and families consider hospice?
Who provides hospice care?
How are referrals to hospice made?
Is hospice only for people with cancer?
What is palliative care?
Who pays for hospice services?
Why would a patient stop receiving hospice care?
Can I reach my hospice care team any time of day?
What is the role of the patient's physician in hospice care?
Will medications prevent patients from being able to talk or
know what's happening?
Is hospice affiliated with any religious faith?
What preparations should I make before selecting hospice care?
Are all hospice programs the same?
What is hospice care? back
to top
Hospice is enhanced palliative care (comfort care)
specifically for individuals with a life expectancy of six
months or less (as determined by their physician), andwhose
goals for care focus on palliation (comfort measures) rather than cure.
When should patients and families consider hospice? back
to top
The option for hospice care should be considered and discussed when cure for a life-limiting disease is no longer possible. Although many hospice patients have cancer, individuals with other life-limiting illnesses are also eligible for hospice care. Hospice staff members are experienced in pain management and symptom control and use combinations of medications, counseling, and other appropriate treatments in an effort to keep the patient pain free, responsive and comfortable.
Who provides hospice care? back
to top
Typically, a loved one serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide or arrange for additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How are referrals to hospice made? back
to top
Hospice may be recommended by the patient's physician or requested by the patient, a family member, a friend or other healthcare provider. A hospice nurse will visit, explain the program, and evaluate if hospice care is appropriate.
Is hospice only for people with cancer? back
to top
No. Hospice care is available to all people with a life-limiting illness and their families, regardless of diagnosis. Some of the most common non-cancer diagnoses are congestive heart failure, dementia and chronic lung disease.
What is palliative care? back
to top
Palliative (pronounced pal´e - a tiv) care is medical care focused on relieving suffering and minimizing distressing symptoms. The goal is to maximize the quality of life for anyone dealing with serious or advanced illness, at any time, regardless of diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.
Palliative care utilizes a "team-oriented" approach to provide specialized care to the patient and their loved ones. The team usually consists of a nurse, medical social worker, home health aide, volunteer and chaplain (as requested) - all working together and focusing on the needs and wishes of the patient and their loved ones. Emphasis is on helping the individual make the most of each moment of life by providing comfort and relief from pain and symptoms. In most cases, care is provided at the patient's home or other facility such as a skilled nursing facility, assisted living, or long-term care facility.
Who pays for hospice services? back
to top
Payment is covered in part, or totally, by Medicare, Medi-Cal or private insurance, depending on the patient's coverage and the hospice services provided. Authorized co-payments and any services not covered by insurance will be billed to the patient's family. Medications, medical supplies and durable medical equipment, which are related to the patient's terminal diagnosis, are also covered by hospice.
A certain level of our care is either not reimbursed by any source or is under-reimbursed. In those instances, Hospice By The Bay Foundation provides the necessary support. Donations include contributions in memory of a relative or friend, gifts honoring special occasions, and other general gifts. Private and corporate foundations and local businesses also support the annual budget. All gifts are tax deductible. With the gracious support of the community, Hospice By The Bay Foundation is able to help support our policy that hospice and counseling services are always available to anyone - regardless of their ability to pay.
Why would a patient stop receiving hospice care? back
to top
A hospice patient has the right to stop receiving hospice care at any time, for any reason. On occasion, a terminally ill patient's health improves or the patient's illness goes into remission while receiving hospice care. A patient's condition may become stable to the point that the hospice team and physician(s) believe the patient cannot be certified as terminally ill (having a life expectancy of six months, or less), and, therefore, is no longer eligible for the Benefit. At any point in time, a patient can return to hospice care, as long as the eligibility criteria are met and certification by physician(s) and hospice team is received.
Can I reach my hospice care team any time of day? back
to top
A Hospice By The Bay nurse is available to assist you and your family with problems or questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nurse may assist you in any of the following situations:
- With discomfort of any kind that the current medication does not relieve;
- With questions about how to take the medications in your home;
- Inability to sleep or excessive anxiety; or
- With questions or concerns about a patient's changing condition.
What is the role of the patient's physician in hospice care? back
to top
The patient's physician works with Hospice By The Bay's clinical staff and Hospice Medical Director to coordinate all aspects of the patient's ongoing medical care. Patients continue to see their primary physician while receiving hospice services, either in the physician's office, or when a physician makes a home visit.
Will medications prevent patients from being able to talk or know what's happening? back
to top
The goal of hospice is to allow the patient to be comfortable but alert. By continually assessing the patient's condition to keep pain under control, hospice is very successful in meeting this goal. Hospice care is about maximizing a patient's quality of life, which includes having patients participate in decision making and remaining connected and involved with the people around them for as long as possible.
Is hospice affiliated with any religious faith? back
to top
No. Hospice offers a compassionate, medical and supportive approach to caring for dying patients that embraces people of all faiths and spiritual backgrounds. The hospice chaplain is available to help make arrangements with a patient's religious or spiritual organization or for discussion and support regarding spiritual matters.
What preparations should I make before selecting hospice care? back
to top
It is helpful to research and know how hospice works before you or a loved one is faced with a decision about end-of-life care. Also, it is recommended that discussions about final wishes be put in writing to ensure that these needs can be met. The earlier hospice is involved, the better for the patient and their family. Upon admission, Hospice By The Bay conducts a thorough assessment of each patient's condition and living situation, and will recommend any necessary equipment, as well as help make arrangements to obtain what is needed. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the illness progresses. Hospice By The Bay will assist in any way we can to make home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible.
Are all hospice programs the same? back
to top
Hospice is a philosophy of care that accepts dying as a natural part of life, and aims to enhance comfort and quality of life during the last phase of one's life. The focus is on caring - not curing. All hospices share this philosophy of care. However, even in the same community, different hospices may vary in the range of support services offered or where and how services are provided. Hospice By The Bay is a not-for-profit, independent hospice and palliative care provider, offering comprehensive services to adults and children with advanced illness.
|
