What is Hospice Care?
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. So, for the topic of this month’s newsletter, we will of course be discussing hospice!
What is Hospice care?
Hospice care is designed for patients who have a terminal illness, where the goal is no longer to cure the disease but to manage symptoms and provide comfort. Care is centered around pain management, emotional and psychological support, and ensuring the patient feels comfortable in their final days.
Hospice care is not the same as palliative care. Hospice is a special kind of palliative care used for patients who are either not being helped by active treatment or for whom the burden of their treatment outweighs any benefit. Patients in hospice must also stop all treatments meant to cure their illness.
How do you become eligible for hospice care?
While there is no one diagnosis that qualifies a patient for hospice, a combination of symptoms can qualify a patient for end-of-life care. A patient is typically eligible for hospice care if a doctor has determined they have a life expectancy of six months or less, should the illness follow its usual course. Some examples of terminal illnesses include cancer, heart disease, dementia, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, or neurological conditions.
How do you pay for hospice care?
In many countries, including the U.S., hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. This can include the cost of medications, equipment, and other services related to hospice care. Some hospices may also provide care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Generally, insurance requires a prognosis of six months or less and certification of terminal illness by a physician.
How long does hospice care last?
Hospice care can last for weeks or months, depending on the patient’s condition and response to treatment. If a patient’s condition improves or stabilizes, they may no longer qualify for hospice care, but can be re-enrolled if their condition worsens later.
Where is hospice care provided?
Hospice care is generally provided in the patient’s home. The goal is to allow patients to remain in a familiar environment where they feel most comfortable, surrounded by loved ones. However it can also be provided in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or in some cases, a hospice inpatient facility.
How often will hospice care visit?
In many cases, the standard frequency of hospice nurse visits is 2-3 times per week, for about an hour each time. But, of course, this schedule can change depending on what the patient’s health requires — and it will generally change throughout the hospice care journey, as the patient’s health changes over time.
What services are included with hospice care?
Hospice services can vary but generally they will include:
Care from a team of doctors, nurses, social worker, chaplain, home care aides, and other health care providers such as physical and occupational therapists.
Access to the hospice team by phone 24/7, 7 days a week.
Medication to relieve nausea, pain, shortness of breath, agitation, and other symptoms.
Medical supplies and equipment, such as a hospital bed, walker, or wheelchair.
Family support such as emotional support and teaching how to do certain health care tasks like giving injections and changing dressings.
A short stay in the hospital if the patient’s symptoms are too difficult to manage at home.
How do you choose a hospice care provider?
Hospices are not all the same, some are large and some are small. Some are run by nonprofit agencies, others by corporations. You can also switch to a different hospice provider at any time, with or without cause. There is no cost or penalty of any kind associated with changing hospice providers.
In conclusion, hospice care provides a compassionate, holistic approach to end-of-life care, focusing on comfort and support for both the patient and their family. It’s about quality of life in the final stage of illness, offering pain management, emotional support, and practical assistance during a difficult time.
