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.

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.