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.

How Do I Know If My Loved One Qualifies for Hospice?

 For some years, society has placed a stigma on the word "Hospice". Some believe Hospice is a place you go to die. Others think that "Hospice" starts in the last few days of life. Some people think Hospice care is too expensive. And, yes, there are a few who thought Hospice had a magic pill that will end life for their loved one.

Let's address each of these beliefs individually so that YOU will have a clear and correct knowledge of Hospice.

1. Hospice is a philosophy of care for end-of-life.  The patient is at the center of this care.  Their wishes are of the utmost importance.  The Hospice team of a nurse, aides, chaplain and social worker, with the patient and their family, make a plan of care to meet the needs of the patient and keep them as comfortable as possible during this time.  If the patient requests no medications, the Freedom Home Hospice team is able to alleviate pain with our Namaste Care program using touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.  It is a unique program that very few agencies utilize but we have found that it can truly make a difference for the patient and their family.

2. Hospice care can start when a Doctor has stated that given the admitting diagnosis and its natural progression, there is approximately 6 months left in life for the individual.  Now, nobody can pinpoint the day and time someone will pass away from this life, and I have seen plenty of patients live well pass two years and still qualify to receive Hospice benefits. The Doctor is only giving an estimation and that is the main qualification to qualify for the care.
   Think about being able to have that extra help with your loved one and their personal cares, medications and pain control.  I like to think that the longer a team is able to serve a client, the more comfortable the client will be with those caregivers at the end-of-life.
   Yes, many times we begin care in the last few days but the Hospice Benefit through Medicare or Private insurances is intended to provide that care in the last six months of life.

3. Hospices care is paid for, 100% through the Medicare Benefit or through private insurance.  With the Medicare Benefit, this is something that those who have paid into Social Security have paid for throughout their lifetime of employment.  It is there for every individual, no matter your age.  For those younger terminally ill patients who perhaps have never reached an employment age, Hospice can be paid for through private insurance.  Either way, please call us to let us help you understand what benefits are available at 801-225-3377.

4. I have had a few people ask me about the "Magic Pill" that Hospice has to help their mom or dad on their way out of their life. I can assure you, there is no magic pill! Being married to a Police Officer, I am pretty certain that administering anything that would end someone's life is illegal and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  With that said, the Hospice Team's goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and in as little pain as possible.  Think of it like this.....Our team gets to become a valuable part of someone's life, at the end of their life.  They get to make their life as comfortable and pain free as possible.  They will be an advocate for the patient and their loved ones, helping them all make and understand decisions during this most precious time.  The team truly loves their work and realize that the one they are caring for will pass away.  This will end their job, and their paycheck, for their care. Why would any Hospice team want to see that end?

In conclusion, Hospice is all about living every minute of your life to the fullest.  Our team is highly trained and specialize in caring for terminally ill patients.  It is a bittersweet situation to be in, but we choose to be there.  We choose because of our love of and for people.

Humor in a Nursing Home

Anyone who knows me, knows how important humor is in my life.  I am all about making someone smile, telling a funny story, hearing and inducing laughter.  Serving in Social Services at "my other house" (AKA the nursing home) I saw the difference laughing and smiling made to each and every resident and tried to share that wonderful phenomenom daily.  Many dreary days could be changed with a conversation that sparked a funny memory for residents.

One great memory involved our activities director having a "Slumber Party" with the residents. Popcorn, movies, games. Everything that made a slumber party fun....including....prank phone calls.  I was the lucky recipient of a few of the phones calls.  All the voices were VERY familiar so I played right along...

Me: Hello?
Caller: Is your refrigerator running?
Me: Well, yes...
Caller: You better go catch it! (followed by muffled giggles and the sound of the phone hanging up)

Me: Hello?
Caller: (In an extremely convincing English accent) Do you have Prince Albert in a can?
Me: Who is this?
Caller: Do you have Prince Albert in a can?
Me: Listen, you don't even sound like you are from the US.  Who are you? Wait, I know who this is AND I know where you sleep!
Giggles....click.

I arrived at my office the next day to find the door and the immediate area covered in toilet paper and a picture of several residents with bags over their heads, to conceal their identity of course, and a hand written statement of "We got you!  The Claw"

Let me just say, whispers and giggles were had for days after this event. What an amazing Activities Director!  What wonderful residents!  This one activity bonded staff and residents so much and provided some great memories in a situation that many would not even think was possible.

I sure miss those days and the fun we had but I have a treasure trove of memories to take with me!