Frequently Asked Questions

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Hospice care is designed for individuals who have a life expectancy of six months or less. Patients benefit from hospice care early and improved more days of life. Patients receive better pain and symptom control, and access to helpful medical supplies/equipment.  Starting hospice now, patients have fewer hospital, ER visits, and ICU admissions. Patients get bereavement support for patient and family. Hospice Care 4 U available 24/7. 

1. Advanced Illness: Hospice care is typically appropriate for patients with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live if the disease follows its usual course. Common conditions include advanced cancer, heart failure, lung disease, kidney failure, and neurological diseases like advanced Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
2. Frequent Hospitalizations: An increase in hospital stays or trips to the emergency room can be a sign that the illness is progressing and becoming harder to manage with traditional treatments.
3. Declining Ability to Perform Daily Tasks: A noticeable decline in the ability to perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, walking, or using the bathroom, can indicate that hospice care might be beneficial.
4. Changes in Mental Abilities: Significant changes in cognitive abilities, such as confusion, disorientation, or difficulty communicating, may suggest a need for hospice care.
5. Increasing Pain or Other Symptoms: If pain or symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, or fatigue are becoming more severe and less responsive to treatments aimed at cure or prolongation of life, hospice care can help manage these symptoms effectively.
6. Weight Loss and Decreased Appetite: Unintentional significant weight loss and loss of appetite are often signs of advanced illness, indicating that the body may be starting to shut down.
7. Physician's Recommendation: A doctor's assessment and recommendation are crucial. They can provide insight into the disease's progression and whether current treatments are still beneficial.
8. Patient's Wishes: The patient's desire for quality of life rather than continuing aggressive treatment is a strong indicator. Some patients choose hospice care when they decide to stop treatments that are no longer improving their quality of life.

It's important to have open and honest discussions with healthcare providers and family members about the goals of care and the patient's wishes. Hospice care is not about giving up hope, but rather about focusing on comfort and quality of life when cure is no longer possible.

 Simplified Tips for Discussing Care Options:

1. Find a Good Time: Choose a calm moment at home for this important talk.
2. Learn a Bit First: Understand the basics of hospice and palliative care to explain it clearly.
3. Be Honest, But Gentle: Acknowledge it's a tough topic, but also a necessary one.
4. Listen to Their Feelings: Give your family space to express their thoughts and concerns.
5. Use Kind Words: Show empathy with phrases like “I understand this is hard.”
6. Talk Benefits: Explain how this care focuses on comfort and support.
7. Get Help from Our Nurse: Our Director of Nursing can join the chat to answer tricky questions. 
8. It's About Support: Emphasize that this care is about getting the right help, not giving up.
9. Take Your Time: Allow everyone to process the information and have more discussions later if needed.
10. Keep Talking: Continue the conversation as needs and understanding evolve.

Remember, starting these conversations early helps ensure the best care and support. Our team is here to guide you through every step.

1. Medical Care and Pain Management: The primary focus is on managing symptoms and providing pain relief. This includes administering medications, monitoring health status, and coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure the patient's comfort.
2. Nursing Care: Registered nurses typically oversee the medical aspect of patient care, including administering treatments and medications, providing wound care, and educating family members on patient care.
3. Emotional and Psychological Support: Hospice care addresses the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. This might involve counseling services, support groups, and assistance with anxiety, depression, or grief.
4. Spiritual Care: Many hospice programs offer chaplain services or spiritual counselors to support patients and families according to their beliefs and preferences.
5. Social Services: Social workers in hospice care help patients and families navigate the practical and emotional challenges they face, offering counseling, planning assistance, and connections to community resources.
6. Aide and Homemaker Services: These services assist with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and light housekeeping, helping maintain patient comfort and dignity.
7. Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy: If needed, these therapies help maintain or improve quality of life. They might focus on enhancing mobility, self-care skills, and communication abilities.
8. Dietary Counseling: Nutritionists or dietitians may be involved to ensure the patient's nutritional needs are met, which can be crucial in managing symptoms and maintaining strength.
9. Family Support and Education: Hospice care educates and supports family members in caring for the patient, and provides respite care to give primary caregivers a break.
10. Bereavement Support: After a patient's death, hospice programs often offer ongoing support to families to help them cope with grief and loss.

 Hospice care and regular home health care are both important services, but they serve different purposes and patient needs. Here's a detailed comparison:

1. Purpose and Focus:
   Hospice Care: : Hospice is specifically for individuals with a terminal illness, typically with a prognosis of six months or less to live. The focus is on comfort and quality of life, rather than curing the illness. It addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs at the end of life.
   • Home Health Care: This type of care is generally for patients who are recovering from an illness or surgery, or managing chronic conditions. The goal is often rehabilitation and treatment with the aim of recovery, improvement, or maintenance of current health status.

         2.  Services Provided:

• Hospice Care: Includes pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, social work services, dietary counseling, and bereavement support for the family. It also often provides medications related to the hospice diagnosis, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Home Health Care: Typically involves services like skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and assistance with activities of daily living. It's more focused on medical treatment and rehabilitation.

          3.  Duration and Time Frame:

• Hospice Care: It's provided for as long as the patient's doctor and hospice team certify that the patient's condition remains life-limiting. Hospice care is not limited to six months; it can be extended if the patient continues to meet eligibility requirements.
• Home Health Care: Usually prescribed for a specific period to meet a particular health goal, like recovering from surgery or an injury. The duration can vary based on the patient's progress and needs.

         4.  Eligibility and Certification:

• Hospice Care: Requires a doctor's certification that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients typically must agree to forgo curative treatments for their terminal illness.
• Home Health Care: Requires a doctor's prescription and usually a plan of care. The patient must need skilled nursing care or therapy services and be homebound, meaning it's difficult for them to leave home.

          5.  Payment and Insurance Coverage:

• Hospice Care: Often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance under a specific hospice benefit, which typically covers all hospice-related services.
• Home Health Care: Usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance if medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Coverage details can vary based on the patient's insurance plan.

          6.  Care Setting:

• Both hospice and home health care are primarily provided in the patient's home, but hospice care can also be provided in hospice facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes.

In summary, while both hospice and home health care provide support to patients at home, hospice care is specifically for end-of-life care, focusing on comfort and quality of life, whereas home health care is more about recovery, treatment, and managing ongoing health conditions.

Hospice care is a type of palliative care that is specifically designed for individuals who have a life expectancy of six months or less. Palliative care is a more general term that refers to any type of care that is focused on relieving pain and improving quality of life for individuals with serious illness.

 Yes, hospice care services are often provided in the patient's home. This allows patients to stay in a familiar, comfortable environment while receiving the care they need. It's a key part of hospice care, focusing on comfort and quality of life at home. Hospice care can be provided in the patient's home, as well as in a hospice facility, hotel, hospital or long-term care facility. The location of care will depend on the patient's needs and preferences.

The frequency of visits from the hospice team will depend on the patient's needs and the level of care required. Typically, a nurse or other healthcare professional will visit the patient a few times a week, but additional visits can be scheduled as needed.  Give us call anytime and we are ready to help 24/7.

Medicare covers 100% for both palliative and hospice care at home. For palliative care, it's part of your Medicare Part B benefits, focusing on relieving symptoms and stress. Hospice care, on the other hand, is covered under Medicare Part A when a doctor certifies a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This includes medical and support services, medications for symptom control, and grief counseling. No need to worry about costs; focus on comfort and quality of life at home. 1. Medications for Symptom Control and Pain Relief: Medicare covers all medications related to the hospice diagnosis, ensuring the patient's comfort.  2. Medical Equipment and Supplies: Necessary equipment (like wheelchairs or hospital beds) and supplies (like bandages and catheters) for pain relief and symptom management are covered.  3. Hospice Team Services: This includes the full spectrum of care from doctors, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, and therapists. They provide medical, emotional, and spiritual support.  4. Short-Term Inpatient and Respite Care: If symptom management requires a short hospital stay or if caregivers need a break, Medicare covers temporary inpatient or respite care.  5. Grief and Loss Counseling: Bereavement support for the family is also included.  Medicare's coverage is designed to ensure comprehensive care without additional financial burden during this critical time.