Patients living out their last days in comfort are the focus of Hospice.Hospice care is recommended for patients who have received diagnoses of less than 6 months to live, such as cancer or Alzheimer's.Hospice is family-oriented, as the family stays involved in all aspects of decision-making and patient care, while a team of Hospice caregivers attend to patient monitoring, medications, and therapy.If you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, learn how to arrange Hospice care.
Step 1: It may be time to move to Hospice.
There are a number of signs that it is time for the patient to go to Hospice care.The patient may stay in bed all the time, contract more infections, have more pain, and experience rapid weight loss.The patient may need to go to the hospital more often.You may notice that your loved one is getting worse even though they are taking drugs to cure the disease.
Step 2: The patient should be ready for the end of life care.
As they deal with a terminal illness, Hospice is meant to make the patient's life more comfortable.It is not intended to treat the disease the patient has.If the patient still wants to fight the disease through treatments, it's not time for Hospice yet.Unless the patient already has a feeding tube before entering hospice care, feeding tubes aren't provided.It can be hard to have a conversation.You have to take care of it.Health care providers have a lot of experience having this conversation so it can be helpful for you to involve them.They know about the benefits of Hospice.Start the conversation with what kind of care Hospice offers."We may need to start thinking about Hospice," you could say.Pain management, medication coordination and daily care are covered by Hospice.You might mention that Hospice workers are kind, caring, and experienced in all aspects.
Step 3: The doctor should certify the patient for Hospice care.
If the care is covered by Medicare, the patient needs to be certified by a doctor.The patient can't be expected to live more than 6 months if they have a terminal illness.
Step 4: Understand how payments work.
Money can become an issue as someone's life draws to a close, but you don't want to be worrying about it.Hospice is covered in full by both Medicare and many major insurance companies.If you aren't covered by Medicaid, Medicare, veteran's insurance, or private insurance you can still get Hospice care.If it's not covered, you may have to pay out of pocket.Many nonprofits will give some relief for people who have to pay out of pocket.Hospice can cost as much as $600 a day, though it can be as little as $150 per day depending on the services the patient is receiving.Your insurance company usually subsidizes this amount.You should still check with your provider to see if you owe anything.
Step 5: You can contact a Hospice center.
You can initiate contact with Hospice if you are a family member.The patient or their doctor can communicate with each other.You will only be talking about what hospice entails with the initial contact.You aren't committing yet.A hospice center is usually recommended by your doctor.A nonprofit hospice is usually recommended.You can call any Hospice center in your area that you feel is appropriate for you.The American Cancer Society, United Way, and the Agency on Aging can help you find local Hospices.Referrals to local Hospices are provided by these organizations.Asking friends and family for recommendations is one way to pick a hospice.Many people who have been in the same place can give guidance about the agencies in town.Hospice nurses will often come to the hospital, house, or nursing home where the patient is staying at the time to discuss care.
Step 6: Make sure that your agency has the proper certifications.
The Joint Commission is a national agency that should accredited your agency.Since it requires that the agency meet certain standards, it should be Medicare approved.You can find out if the agency is licensed in your state.You can ask about the accreditation, certification, and licensing when you meet with the agency.If you're not comfortable with what one is telling you, go to another agency.If you shop around with other agencies, keep in mind that all of the nurses will be through Hospice.Approximately 21,000 health organizations in the United States are accredited by The Joint Commission.
Step 7: Ask questions.
You can ask questions when you visit the hospice worker.That's why they are there.They want you and the patient to be comfortable with the decision to go with hospice, so don't be afraid to put your fears out there.The hospice worker is trained to be compassionate and caring.Ask about how soon care can be started, what requirements the agency has for in-patient care, whether the patient can continue on certain treatments, and what kind of care Hospice provides.If the caregivers are on-call 24 hours a day, and if they personalize care plans for each patient, ask.You can ask about what you'll be expected to do and who will be providing care.You will have a chance to talk again if you don't get all your questions answered in the first meeting.Many hospice centers will send someone out to meet you more than once.
Step 8: What does hospice cover?
Everything from care to equipment is covered by Hospice.They can help with nursing and doctor care.They can provide equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and bedside toilets, as well as supplies.The patient will also be provided with nursing aid care, which includes showering or bathing several times a week.Diabetes counseling, physical therapy, spiritual guidance, and nutrition advice are some of the other services.Hospice can provide respite care for the family for up to 5 days if the primary caregivers needs a break.Hospice provides home care and hospital care as needed.The patient will be visited at home by a Hospice nurse, who may recommend that the patient be admitted to the hospital.Hospice doesn't cover medications that are intended to cure the disease.
Step 9: Don't be afraid to say yes.
It may seem like you're giving up on the person's care.Hospice can help the person with a terminal illness be more comfortable at the end of their life.Hospice can relieve you and other people in charge of the person's care so that you can focus on being with them.
Step 10: If you need to make a decision, make it.
If you're the person's medical power of attorney, you may have to make a decision about Hospice.In the final days of an illness, the person becomes confused and unable to make informed decisions, which is why they named a person they trusted.You have the right to do so if you decide that the person needs to enter hospice care.
Step 11: Hospice will enter the home.
Hospice care is usually done in the patient's home.Most care will be provided during the day but you need to be prepared to have people in the patient's home at all hours.One of the benefits of hospice care is that it can be done in the patient's own home.All you need to do is make space for what the hospice will bring in, such as a hospital bed.Home-bound patients don't need to receive Hospice care.If the patient is still able to get out and about, they can still receive Hospice care.
Step 12: Continue seeing the doctor.
The doctor that is already caring for the patient becomes part of the team.You don't have to worry about changing doctors at this time.The patient will be able to trust the person on the team.
Step 13: Let Hospice coordinate care.
Hospice care will coordinate the patient's care, one of the benefits.They will give information to the parties that need it, including the pharmacy and the patient's doctor, so you don't have to.Being with the person is what you can focus on.A registered nurse, doctors, nursing aids, therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and trained volunteers will be part of the Hospice team.When the time comes, the team will connect you to the funeral home of your choice, and they can do so at any time to help you make the arrangements.
Step 14: Don't be afraid to call.
Even in the middle of the night, Hospice is meant to be there for you.Hospice can help if something is happening to the patient.Someone can check on the patient or you can be reassured.
Step 15: The patient won't return to the hospital.
The patient won't return to the hospital for any care if they are in their own homes.There are exceptions for injuries not related to the illness, such as the patient falling and cutting themselves, where stitches are required.The patient usually doesn't return to the hospital for care related to terminal illness, though it does depend on the patient and the hospice program.Hospice usually needs to be informed when a patient goes to the hospital for something other than illness.
Step 16: Hospice offers help to the family.
Relief for friends and family members is provided by Hospice care.Hospice also provides other services for friends and family, such as having regular meetings to keep family updated, as well as bereavement care when the patient dies.
Step 17: Hospice care should be ended if you feel it's appropriate.
When you commit to hospice care, you and the patient agree that you don't want to cure a patient's disease, but just want palliative care.If a patient or family member wants to pursue cures again, you can stop Hospice care at any time.If new information comes to light, you are able to change your mind.The person can't be pushed off Hospice by the provider.The person will remain even if they live longer than 6 months.