Questions About Hospice

FAMILY HOSPICE

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice

What is Hospice?

Hospice is a model of holistic health care designed to treat the whole person so he or she may live life fully, maintain dignity and retain personal control. This concept of care provides physical, emotional, & spiritual care to patients and their families living with a life-limiting illness.

When is the right time to call Family Hospice?

At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient's care options, including Hospice. The earlier Family Hospice becomes involved, the more beneficial it can be to the patient and their family. The patient and family will enjoy the full benefit of Hospice services if a relationship of trust is developed with Family Hospice over several months. Delivery of quality services depends upon an understanding of the patient's and family's needs and the development of a comprehensive plan of care.

It is time to call Family Hospice:

When curative treatment is no longer an option
When the goal of care changes to comfort, symptom control, and enhancing the quality of life.
When a physician believes Family Hospice services would help.

Why is Hospice so special?

Hospice is special because it concentrates on comfort care, not cure. Hospice emphasizes pain control, living life fully, care at home, and meeting the needs of both patients and loved ones

How does Family Hospice serve patients and families?

Family Hospice employs a family-centered approach that includes, at a minimum, a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and trained volunteers. The team works collaboratively, focusing on the patient's needs, whether physical, psychological, or spiritual. The goal is to help keep the patient as symptom free and functional as possible, while participating in life and living.

Below is a list of services available to Family Hospice recipients:

· Physician services for the medical management of the patient's care.

· Regular home visits by skilled nursing.

· Certified Nurse Aides to personal care, grooming and assisting with meals.

· Social work and counseling.

· Medical equipment such as hospital beds and oxygen.

· Medical supplies.

· Drugs for symptom control and pain relief.

· Volunteer support for companionship.

· Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and dietary counseling, as needed.

How does Hospice care work?

Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the Family Hospice staff make regularly scheduled visits to assess the patient and provide services as prescribed by the Plan of Care. Family Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Family Hospice team develops a Plan of Care that is tailored to each patient's needs in addition to those of the family who provide supportive care. The team usually consists of the following individuals:

· The patient's personal physician

· The patient's personal physician
· Hospice physician (or medical director)

· Nurses

· Certified Nurse Aides

· Social workers

· Clergy or other counselors

· Trained volunteers

· Speech, physical, and occupational therapists (if needed)

Who qualifies for Hospice care?

Hospice care is for any person who has a life-limiting or terminal illness with a prognosis of six (6) months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients with both cancer and non-cancer illnesses are eligible to receive Hospice care

Is Hospice only for elderly people?

No, people of all ages may receive Hospice care.

How are Family Hospice services initiated?
A physician (or other health care professional), a patient or designated health care surrogate may request Family Hospice services. Ultimately the patient and primary physician must agree that the referral is appropriate and approve an admission to Hospice. Hospice care is established when the patient, primary caregiver or health care representative visit with the Hospice admission team and agree to the admission terms in written form. A plan of care is established and subsequent visits by the nurse and social worker are scheduled.

How does Family Hospice manage pain?

Family Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain care are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain.

Family Hospice Nurses and Doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, massage, and diet counseling.

Where is care provided?

Care is provided in a setting that best suits the needs of the patient and caregivers. It may be provided at home, the home of a loved one, or an inpatient facility.

Must Family Hospice patients be homebound?

No, many Family Hospice patients are able to continue an active lifestyle including visiting friends and family, and pursuing meaningful interests and activities.

How much will Hospice cost me?

Hospice coverage is provided by Medicare, Medicaid and by most private health insurance policies. Medicare and/or Medicaid are the most frequent sources of payment. Both will pay at 100% for medication relating to the terminal diagnosis, equipment needed for comfort and safety (hospital bed, bedside commode and wheelchair, etc) and the services of the Hospice team.

Family Hospice assesses patients based on need and not financial status. No patient will be refused care based on inability to pay. Eighty percent (80%) of people who use Hospice care are over the age of 65, and are thus entitled to the services offered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers mostly all aspects of Hospice care with little out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family. As a result, the financial burdens usually associated with caring for a terminally ill patient are virtually nonexistent. For persons without a payer source, Family Hospice will do a financial assessment based on a sliding fee scale.

What role do volunteers play in Family Hospice care?

Family Hospice provides trained volunteers to aid the family and patients. Most Family Hospice volunteers are trained to provide the primary caregivers with a few hours of “time off”, do some household chores, and provide companionship. Perhaps their most important task is their ability to be "good listeners."

What if a Family Hospice patient shows signs of recovery?

If the patient’s condition improves and the patient’s physician agrees that the disease seems to have stabilized, and no longer meets Hospice criteria, discharge from Family Hospice may be appropriate.

Under what other circumstances would a patient be discharged from Family Hospice?

A patient (or health care surrogate) may request discharge at any time for any reason.
The patient leaves the service area.
The patient seeks treatment outside the Hospice plan of care.

What is the service area for Family Hospice?

Family Hospice covers approximately a 50 mile radius in and around the city of Boulder. This area includes Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin and Weld counties.

Can a Family Hospice patient continue with his or her own physician?

Yes. The Hospice medical director will review the Hospice plan of care and is available to consult with the primary physician if needed. Hospice nurses will work with the patient's doctor on all aspects of care.

Does Family Hospice provide 24-hour nursing?

No. Family Hospice nurses visit 1-2 times per week or more frequently as the patient's condition dictates. A Family Hospice nurse is also accessible 24 hours a day by phone to assist with questions or emergencies and will make a home visit if needed.

Does Family Hospice provide any support to the family after the patient dies?

If desired Family Hospice will provide continuing contact and support for caregivers and/or families for at least 13 months following the death of a loved one. This is called the Bereavement Program. Bereavement counselors will offer support to meet the needs of those who are grieving. Support may be in the form of grief education, support groups, one-to-one counseling, phone calls or written communication.

Thank you for visiting Family Hospice!