What is Hospice?
Hospice is the term that is used for an approach to healthcare that is
specifically designed to support the physical, emotional and spiritual needs
of those who have life-limiting illnesses or conditions. Hospice care
provides compassionate care and support for those in the last stages of life
so they may live their lives as fully and comfortably as possible.
Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It neither
hastens or prolongs death.
Hospice emphasizes palliative care(i.e., relief of pain and uncomfortable
symptoms) rather than curative treatment...and quality, rather than
quantity, of life.
When is Hospice appropriate?
Hospice becomes an appropriate method of care when a patient has reached the last stages of a life-limiting illness or condition. Hospice care can and should be addressed at any time as the physician and patient discuss treatment options.
Who pays for the Hospice service?
Hospice is covered 100% by Medicare and Medicaid.
Hospice Alliance is a Medicare/Medicaid certified agency. Most insurance companies have a Hospice benefit. Hospice Alliance will work with your insurance company to ensure that you receive 100% of your hospice benefit.
Who will provide Hospice care?
The Hospice Alliance team will provide care.
Our interdisciplinary team is made up of very experienced, highly skilled and specially trained health care professionals and volunteers.
The team is headed by our hospice Medical Director who, together with the patient, their family and their primary care physician, determines the patient’s eligibility for hospice. The Medical Director consults with the PCP and the interdisciplinary team to develop the patients Plan-of-Care. The Medical Director also monitors the patient’s condition and prescribes the medications as needed to keep the patient comfortable.
Our RN Case Managers make regularly scheduled visits to the patient to provide pain management and symptom control. They also provide training and counseling to the caregiver and patient so that care is given properly and safely. While the patient is under hospice care, the RN Case Manager keeps the PCP and the Medical Director informed about the patients condition. RN support is available, as needed, on a 24/7/365 basis.
Our social workers provide assistance with practical and financial concerns as well as emotional support, counseling and bereavement follow-up. The social worker evaluates the need for volunteers and other support services needed by the family and they facilitate communication between the family and other community agencies.
Chaplains provide non-denominational spiritual support to patients and their families. They often serve as a liaison between them and their religious communities. They offer both private and group grief support. Chaplains also often assist with memorial services and funeral arrangements.
Certified Nursing Aides provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, feeding, bathing and hands-on care, functioning as home health aids. They also provide limited household services to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in areas of the home used by the hospice patient.
Trained volunteers are a very important part of the hospice team. They can provide direct patient support and non-direct patient support. Some of the ways they can provide direct patient support are by sitting with the patient while the caregiver runs an errand or by providing companionship. Volunteers can also provide non-direct patient support by helping in the office.
Every person plays a vital role on the hospice interdisciplinary team. Everyone is needed to make sure the patient’s needs are met.
Contact us for more information
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