Hospice 101: What Services Are Provided By Hospice?

Let's review what we have learned in the last two posts:

1- Hospice is Nursing Care provided for the terminally ill as certified by a physician. It is intended to keep the patient comfortable while controlling pain as well as providing social services and spiritual support.

2- A person qualifies for Hospice when a doctor has certified that, given the natural progress of the admitting diagnosis, the patient has a life expectancy of approximately 6 months.  Admitting diagnoses can include terminal diseases as well as declines in health in the aged.

   Our team of professionals are trained in end-of-life care and work together with the client, their family and their physician to meet the medical, physical and emotional needs of the terminally ill patient and their loved ones. 

   Hospice Care is not 24 hour care but it does provide nursing, aides, social services, volunteers and spiritual support for patients through the end-of-life process as well as for their families for a year after the loss of their loved one. 

   Hospice care can take place in your home, a nursing facility or even a hospital.

   I have personally witnessed the positive change that can  take place in a situation where Hospice care is needed.  Caregivers are educated and supported in providing the cares and comfort for their loved ones.  

Our Nurses  provide skilled services for pain management and comfort.  They let the family be as involved as possible in making the decisions about the care for their loved one.  

Aides can provide assistance with bathing, grooming and even some light housekeeping. 

A Social Worker will visit with the patient and the family to alleviate any concerns or questions and can guide you to valuable resources and programs that could also be of assistance.  

A Chaplain is a non-denominational, spiritual component of our team.  He is able to provide the spiritual support that is so often needed at this time of life.  

Our team also offers Volunteers for various patient needs.  

All of these services are available but are not required to be used by the patient and family.

Not sure if you or your loved one would qualify for Hospice Care?  Call our caring staff and let us help you through the process and answer any of your questions, 801-225-3377.

What is Home Health and Who Pays for It?

Has your loved one recently had a fall, illness or surgery that has weakened them?  They could possibly benefit from Home Health!

Home Health is a service that provides nursing, physical, occupation and speech therapy as well as aide assistance, when needed, in the privacy of your home.  This is intended only for people who are considered homebound or who have a difficult time getting themselves to an appointment.  I often see caregivers bringing their parent to a doctor's appointment because their parent cannot drive or needs that extra assistance.  This would be considered homebound.

There are more than 25 Home Health agencies serving in Utah County and being regulated through the government, we can all only offer THE SAME THING.  Many would say, "Then what is the difference in who I choose?"  It comes down to the employees of that company.  If you prefer a male aide, call around to several companies to see if they have one.  If there is a certain physical therapist that you have had before, ask him which companies he is contracted with.  Ask family and friends if they have used an agency before that they could recommend. You would be surprised how many people are connected to one company or another.

So, what makes Freedom Home Health and Hospice different?
There are so many answers to this question!  Here are just a few:

*100% of our clients say they would recommend us to their family and friends!  This information is from our Medicare Pinnacle Survey and it couldn't be a bigger compliment.

*Our nurse will attend follow up appointments with our clients while they are on service to make sure our team has the full picture when providing cares for our client.

*Freedom Home Health is contracted with several physical, speech and occupational therapists and we are most likely contracted with your favorite!  Just call and let us know which therapist you are looking for.

*We pride ourselves in excellent communication with the client, family and medical professionals making us all a part of the team of caring.

*Freedom not only serves clients in their home, we serve the community with Caregiver Support Groups, Senior Programs and educational information including our blog,

FreedomHomeHealthandHospice.blogspot.com

The biggest question I am asked about Home Health is, "Who pays for this?"  If you are on Medicare, it is paid 100%!  Many HMO's follow the Medicare guidelines and pay 100% after your deductible.  We also accept private pay.  If you have an HMO just call and we will see if we can serve you by contacting the insurance company.  If, for some reason we cannot, we will find out who can serve you, with their phone number, and call you back.

How do I get on Home Health services?

Simple, give us a call at 801-225-3377 and one of our office executives will visit with you about your situation.  They will gather information concerning your needs, your primary care physician and your insurance information.  We will contact your doctor and let him know we have visited with you and that you feel that Home Health could possibly help restrengthen you.  When your doctor gives us an order we will set up an appointment to send one of our specialized registered nurse's to your home to do an assessment of your needs.  It's that easy!

Not sure if Home Health is something you or your loved one needs?  Just call, we can help you figure that out with just a few questions.  

We look forward to being your company and letting you experience the "Freedom Difference".