Hospice 101: What Is Hospice?

Hospice is one of those topics that seems to have a negative connotation for many and I believe it is due, in great part, to lack of information about Hospice.  I hope to help clear this up with the next few blog posts.

A few years back I was talking to a family about Hospice services for their loved one.  The family was very distraught about the situation and very apprehensive about starting Hospice services.  As the conversation went on I learned that their understanding of Hospice was that we actually ended the life of the individual.  I can clearly see why they were hesitant and I can assure you that  Hospice, in NO uncertain terms, assists ANYONE in ending their life.

 Hospice in the United States has grown from a volunteer-led movement to improve care for people dying alone, isolated, or in hospitals, to a significant part of the health care system. In 2008, 1.45 million individuals and their families received hospice care. Hospice is the only Medicare benefit that includes pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, twenty-four hour/seven day a week access to care and support for loved ones following a death. Hospice care is also covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Most hospice care is delivered at home. Hospice care is also available to people in home-like hospice residences, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, veterans' facilities, hospitals, and prisons.

Hospice Care is a service intended to care for those who have a terminal illness and are no longer seeking curative treatments.  A doctor must first certify that, with the natural process of the illness, the patient is probably looking at a 6 month or less life expectancy. Some patients will surpass this time frame, some will pass away before the 6 months.  The 6 month life expectancy is just an estimation by the Doctor.  I have seen many patients live well beyond a year after qualifying for hospice care.

I find that many families call for Hospice services when their loved one is suffering great pain and is in the last days of their life. I encourage everyone to consider the difference Hospice can make even before this situation. To keep someone out of pain, not drugged and "out of it", but truly comfortable, is one of the biggest blessings of hospice. When pain is decreased, "living" is increased. When a terminal patient has pain relief, the quality of life is much better.  Hospice also serves the family of the patient providing social services and spiritual support during, and after, losing their loved one.  

So, what is Hospice? Nursing care intended to provide comfort, dignity, and  improved quality of life for terminally ill patients as well as social services and spiritual support for the patient and their family.  In short, we make the most of every minute that is left.

I would love to hear your experiences with  or questions on Hospice services.

Assisted Living Becoming an Attractive Alternative for Elderly

Teri Strebel, Owner, Latter Days Assisted Living

  Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) are becoming more and more popular in the delivery of care to the elderly population.  Often mistaken for a nursing home, assisted living facilities, offer a less-expensive, residential approach to delivering many of the same services provided in skilled nursing homes.

   The level of assistance provided can be minimal to comprehensive while respecting the right to privacy, dignity and personal choice. Services may vary but typically include: assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, mealtime accommodations for special diets and assistance with meals, laundry, housekeeping and assistance with ambulation and incontinence care.  Nursing assessments are routine, along with the supervision and dispensing of medications and 24 hour monitoring and emergency care.

   ALF’s generally offer two levels of care, Level 1 is for residents that are still quite independent but may require assistance with a few of their activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing and grooming.  Level 2 residents require more time and attention with their ADL’s but do not require skilled nursing on a 24 hour basis. Not all ALF’s offer Level 2 care.

   Because ALF’s are considered a resident’s home, Medicare guidelines allow Home Health and Hospice Agencies to provided services, usually at no cost, to those who qualify, adding that extra amount of care while still having the comfort of an assistant available to help the resident 24 hours a day.

Teri Strebel, Owner, Latter Days Assisted Living

 

Latter Days Assisted Living, a Level II assisted living facility, was co-founded in April of 2000 by Carter & Teri Strebel of Santaquin and Paul & Cathy Brown of Orem.  Latter Days prides itself on its unique style of delivering services with an atmosphere of love and respect. Fun and engaging recreational activities are a huge priority at Latter Days. It’s not unusual to see their residents learning the hula for an upcoming luau or going for a horse ride with their good friend Andrew Goudy.  The major holidays aren’t the only special days celebrated at Latter Days.  Famous birthdays, historical events and even National Pig Day get their own unique recognition here.  Beautifully decorated for each holiday or event along with a recent renovation to the interior, helps keep Latter Days Assisted Living fresh and inviting.  It is the home-like atmosphere created by the made-from-scratch nutritious meals, the kind loving care and the family oriented activities that make assisted living an attractive alternative for the elderly. Latter Days Assisted Living truly goes the extra mile to be “More Than Just A Place To Hang Your Hat”. Stop by or call for a tour, 801-369-0582.