When someone you love is nearing the end of their life, it’s difficult to know what to do or even where to start. This is where our care begins.
Hospice is often seen as just end-of-life care, but it’s much more. We support individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones, helping them make the most of their time together. Our care plans are tailored to meet the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of both patients and families, providing comfort and guidance through this journey.
Hospice is a specialized service dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing advanced illnesses and their caregivers. Our focus is on symptom management, emotional support, and ensuring patients can spend meaningful time at home with their loved ones.
The goal of hospice care is to enable your loved one to live each day as fully as possible.
Our nurses are here to answer your questions and discuss care options available in your area.
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When Is It Time For Hospice?
When the burden of treatment outweighs the benefits and/or the patient has experienced notable decline and multiple hospitalizations over the last several months, he or she might be ready for hospice. Other indications include:
What Are The Qualifications For Hospice Care?
A patient qualifies for hospice care when diagnosed with a terminal illness. A physician must determine that their life expectancy is six months or less if the disease follows its natural progression. Additionally, the patient must meet their insurance provider’s specific criteria for their condition.
What Is The First Step To Begin Hospice Care?
Anyone can request a hospice evaluation. A physician may make the referral or provide several options and let the patient/family decide. The physician must certify to the hospice provider that the patient is eligible and has a prognosis of six months or less. When a referral is made, the hospice provider makes an appointment (the same day or on a convenient date) to meet with the patient and family. The admissions nurse evaluates the patient, answers the family member’s questions, and creates a plan of care that reflects the patient/family’s wishes. If the discussion goes well and the family is ready, they sign admission paperwork, and the hospice team begins to visit.
Is Hospice Only For People Who Are Dying?
Hospice is for people who have a limited life expectancy and patients whose condition is such that a doctor would not be surprised if the patient died within the next six months. This doesn’t mean the patient will die in the next six months; it simply means that he or she has a condition that makes passing a realistic possibility.
Once A Patient Begins Hospice Care, Can They Leave The Program?
A person may choose to leave hospice care for various reasons, such as resuming curative treatment or exploring experimental options. In some cases, patients improve with hospice care, as the focus on comfort, pain relief, and symptom management enhances their quality of life. While they still have a serious illness, their condition may stabilize to the point that they no longer qualify for hospice services. In such cases, hospice must discharge the patient.
Patients have the right to revoke hospice care at any time and may return if their condition worsens, as long as their doctor recertifies their eligibility.
Does Hospice Require A DNR?
A patient does not need to sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order to receive hospice care. While some hospice providers may request it, it is not mandatory as long as the patient and family understand that hospice prioritizes comfort and symptom management rather than curative treatment.
What Is An Advance Directive?
An advance directive refers to two legal documents that allow individuals to outline and communicate their end-of-life wishes in case they become unable to make decisions themselves. These documents include:
Can A Hospice Patient Go To The Hospital?
Hospice focuses on managing pain and symptoms in a home or comfortable care setting, but patients always have the option to go to the hospital if needed. A written agreement between the hospital and hospice provider is required, and patients or families should always contact the hospice nurse before seeking hospital care.
Can A Hospice Patient Go To The Doctor?
Hospice patients may continue seeing their primary care physician (PCP). Hospice physicians and team members collaborate with the PCP to ensure the patient’s clinical and emotional needs are met and that their care plan is followed. The PCP determines their level of involvement in the patient’s care. However, if a patient wishes to see other physicians or specialists for their terminal condition, they must receive approval from their hospice provider.
Is A Hospice Patient Required To Be Homebound?
Unlike home health, there is no homebound rule for hospice patients. However, they are encouraged to travel outside of the home, if they are able, to promote quality of life.
Is Palliative Care The Same As Hospice?
No, patients typically receive palliative care before hospice.
While often confused, palliative care and hospice care are not the same. Palliative care is available at any stage of an illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Receiving palliative care does not mean doctors will stop attempting to treat the condition.
Hospice care, on the other hand, is for individuals with an incurable illness who are nearing the end of life. At this stage, treatments aimed at curing the disease are discontinued, and the focus shifts entirely to comfort, symptom management, and emotional support for both the patient and their loved ones. Hospice care can be provided where the patient calls home.
If A Patient Has Home Health, Why Would They Need Hospice?
Home health care patients must require skilled care and demonstrate improvement as a result of that care. When these goals are no longer achievable, the patient may transition to hospice care.