October 29, 2019
Hospice brings comfort, dignity and honor to the end of life’s journey. It focuses on the person. In addition, to the disease process, with comprehensive care to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Ultimately, hospice is not about dying. It is about helping people live as well as they can, in their environment of choice, when life expectancy is limited. It’s about managing pain, easing the burden on the care-givers sand surrounding the patient’s family with care and support following the end of the patient’s life to help them through their healing journey. Who should receive hospice care? People with advanced illness with limited life expectancy. Patients and families who have chosen care that focuses on symptom management rather than curative treatment. Patients and families who choose no extreme measure to sustain life. Where is Hospice care provided? House or Apartment Friends or Relatives House Assisted living Facility Nursing Home Who Pays for Hospice Care? Hospice is fully covered by Medicare / Medicaid benefit, unlimited in length, and is also covered by many private insurance companies. Coverage typically includes caregivers, medications, supplies and equipment related to the hospice diagnosis, with no out-of-pocket expenses to the patient. What is Palliative Care? Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and the stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. Would you prefer to receive additional information regarding hospice? Contact your local hospice organization.