What is Hospice?
The word “hospice” means a safe haven or place to rest on a difficult journey. Hospice is a special kind of care for patients who have a life limiting illness and who have decided against further aggressive treatment because they feel that the quality of their time left is more important than a difficult and likely ineffective fight. In hospice we can take care of the family and the whole patient, not just his or her illness.
Who pays for hospice?
Hospice is a Medicare benefit, and if you are on Medicare there are no co-payments for anything associated with the hospice diagnosis and care. If you are not of Medicare age yet, private insurance usually has a hospice benefit. At Horizon, no one is turned away for hospice service, so even without insurance we can help.
Do you give around the clock care?
Although there are nurses on call 24/7, the goal of hospice is to help the patient stay home as long as possible and assist the family in caring for their loved one. Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Social Workers, Chaplains/Bereavement Specialists, and Volunteers can all be used to help with this care. Visit frequency is customized to each patient in accordance with their family needs and desires.
Must I be at home to be on hospice?
No. Hospice patients often live in Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Facilities. Also, if the patient is home and the family needs some recharging time, a 5 day respite stay at a facility can be arranged for the patient–all covered by the hospice benefit.
Do I have to have cancer to be on hospice?
No. Although many hospice patients do have some form of cancer, many other diagnoses will qualify a person for hospice. Hospice patients may also have Heart disease, Dementia, Lung disease, Liver disease, Kidney disease, or Adult Failure to Thrive. Whenever a patient is declining in health, hospice should be considered. An evaluation can be done to determine if hospice is the right choice, or if home health, or another form of health care would be better. For a list of detailed clinical diagnoses that qualify for hospice care, click here.
When should a decision about starting hospice be made?
The sooner it is considered, the more assistance hospice can give. But you should never feel “pressured” to go on hospice care. This decision should be made by the patient with the help and input of his or her doctor and family. But with hospice, the patient is always the boss!
Should I wait for the doctor to open the topic of hospice?
The patient and family should feel free to ask questions and open the topic. Many doctors are hesitant to bring up the topic, thinking the patient might not want to hear about it. Some people, and even some physicians, have the impression that considering hospice means a patient is “giving up.” Not true! In reality, families and patients want and need to know ALL their options, and hospice care is definitely one of them. Hospice doesn’t mean giving up. Rather, it means giving proper consideration to your quality of life for whatever time you have left. (See the next question and answer.)
What if I get better while I am on hospice?
We will celebrate with you! Our Hospice Team loves to have patients “graduate” from their care! If your health improves and your prognosis changes for the better such that you no longer meet criteria, you will be discharged from hospice and returned to your attending physician’s care. If, later on, your condition starts to decline again, you can always be re-admitted to the hospice program. Sometimes this happens more than once.
What specific assistance does hospice provide the home-based patient?
Our Medical Directors, nurses, aides, social workers, counselors, therapists, spiritual caregivers, and volunteers all work together to customize care for each patient. As we assess your individual situation we are able to design a care program to meet your individual needs, while remaining sensitive to changes requiring a new level of focus. In addition, many supplies, medications, and equipment are also provided as appropriate for your condition. Remember, our goal is to provide “Life Changing Service,” and that’s what we’ll do. Click here to learn more.
Does hospice care help the patient to die faster?
No. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. What hospice does is work to make the family and patient comfortable, physically, spiritually, and emotionally so the patient and family find peace within the process while letting nature take its course. Our belief is that no one should die in pain . . . of any kind.
