|
What is Hospice?
It’s a special way of caring for people with terminal illnesses and their families.
· Hospice offers palliative, rather than curative treatment
· Hospice treats the person, not the disease
· Hospice emphasizes quality, rather than length of life
· Hospice considers the entire family, not just the patient, the “unit of care.”
· Hospice offers help and support to the patient and family on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis
How is the patient admitted to hospice?
· Anyone may make a referral call to Hospice for care
· Hospice cares for all types of terminal illness, not just cancer
Why is Hospice care important?
Because it provides many benefits that aren’t possible in a traditional health-care setting.
Hospice means:
A coming together with family
Through hospice, the family is directly involved in making decisions and in helping the person they love.
Hospice serves the family as a unit and is sensitive to any special needs. |
Who is eligible for hospice care?
· Patient no longer seeking curative treatment
· Life expectancy is measured in months or less
· A primary caregiver is designated by the patient and available 24 hours a day.
What makes hospice special?
Hospice is special because it concentrates on care—not cure.
Hospice Emphasizes
· Pain control
· Living life fully
· Care at home
· Treating patients and loved ones
Who pays for hospice programs?
· Grants
· Contributions
· Local fund raisers
· Memorial gifts
· Medicare
· Medicaid
· Private insurance
No person is excluded form service because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, disease process, communicable disease or ability to pay. |
