FAQ's
Commonly Asked Hospice Questions
The hospice philosophy holds that end-of-life
care should emphasize the quality of life. Our objective is to treat the whole
person not just the disease. The hospice philosophy focuses on the
patient/family centered care unit. An interdisciplinary group of healthcare
professionals works with the family unit to develop and implement a plan of
care which is unique to that family. Additionally we provide most medications,
services and equipment related to the admitting hospice diagnosis life-limiting
illness. Hospice care does not end with the patient's death. Bereavement
counseling can continue for up to thirteen months for family and loved ones.
We care for
patients with any life-limiting illness in which the prognosis is six months or
less if the illness runs its expected course. Some patients will live beyond
the six month period and criteria. In addition to cancer, hospices treat
patients with ALS, Dementia/Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart
disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, renal disease, HIV/AIDS, failure to
thrive.
Absolutely not! Hospice care shifts the focus
from aggressive medical curative treatment to care which focuses on medical
comfort and the elimination of pain and other symptoms. Studies have shown that
hospice patients improve physically and emotionally because their home/family
situations are stabilized, their economic concerns are reduced, their pain is
reduced and their care is managed.
In the
majority of cases you don't. Hospice services are covered by Medicare and many
private insurance plans. Medicare's Hospice Benefit of 1983 was established by
congress to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries could access high quality
end-of-life care. More than 80% of hospice patients are Medicare beneficiaries.
No. Hospice is for
anyone who is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and meets the hospice
criteria for admission. Hospices care for every age, from young children to
mature adults. There are no age limitations for hospice care.
Not necessarily. If they wish the
family/caregiver can continue to receive bereavement counseling and support for
up to thirteen months after the death of the patient. Hospice social workers and
chaplains receive additional training in order to assist families through the
period after a loved one's death.
Most hospice patients are cared for in their
own home or a place they call home. According to a Gallup Survey, conducted for
the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, nine out of ten
individuals would prefer being cared for in their home when diagnosed with a
life-limiting illness. Ninety-Six percent of hospice care is provided in the
patient's home or the place they call home.
While the
professionals at Heartstrings Hospice are dedicated to enhancing the quality of
life for our patients, we extend that same dedication to the family members and
friends who help care for them. Part of our purpose is to provide the education
and support that enable those close to the patient to understand and manage the
end-of-life process. Our hospice services also include bereavement counseling,
both before the patient's death and up to a thirteen months afterwards.
