What is hospice?
Hospice is a service that focuses on caring for terminal patients. It's purpose is not to cure a patient, but rather to help the patient and their loved ones get though the challenges and heartache associated with the end of life.
In most cases Hospice care is provided in the patient's home, however this care can also be provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.
In most cases Hospice care is provided in the patient's home, however this care can also be provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.
How does hospice care work?
Generally, a family member functions as the patient's primary caregiver and when appropriate, assists in making end of life decisions with the individual and their family. Members of the hospice team make regular visits to evaluate the patient's needs as well as providing additional care and various other services. The hospice staff is trained to not only help their patient, but to help family members as they prepare for their loved ones end of life struggles.
What services does hospice provide?
Among its major responsibilities, the standard hospice team provides the following:
- They work to manage the patient’s pain and symptoms.
- They assist their patient with the emotional, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying.
- They provide the patient with needed drugs, medical supplies, and equipment.
- They teach and coach family members on how to care for the patient.
- They provide special services, such as speech, music, and physical therapy when needed.
- They provide short-term inpatient care when the patient's pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time; and
- Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends.
What are the members of a hospice team
- The patient' s personal physician.
- Hospice physician (or medical director).
- Nurses.
- Home health aides.
- Social workers.
- Clergy or other counselors.
- Trained volunteers.
- Speech, physical, occupational and other therapists as needed.
