What is Hospice?

The word "hospice " (hah-spiss) comes from a long time ago during medieval times. It was used to describe "a place of shelter and rest for weary or sick travelers on long journeys". Just like long ago, hospice offers a group of specially trained people who can help you during the dying process. Caregivers in hospice can come to the hospital, a nursing home, or your own home. This is because Hospice is not a place, but an idea. The type of care hospice offers can be done anywhere. There are also "in-patient" hospice centers where you may go to live until you die.

*Hospice focuses not only on you, but also on your family. Together, you and your family are the "unit of care". In hospice, you and your family have the right to help plan your care. They will include you from the moment they walk in the door. Caregivers of hospice give sensitive and helpful care to you both. They are experts in ways to make you comfortable with your pain and symptoms. If you feel better, you are more able to enjoy your life. You and your family also may find help for spiritual, social, and emotional needs that are not always offered in traditional medical settings.

*You do not have to wait until your doctor talks to you about hospice to learn more about it. A friend, family member or any caregiver can ask hospice to come visit and explain the services. But to start hospice, you must have a doctor’s order that says you have less than 6 months to live. You must also agree not to continue to get treatment to try and cure your disease. Your new treatment focus is called palliative (comfort) care. This is not giving up. You also do not have to stop seeing your doctor. Your caregiver is part of the hospice team that works to create a comfort plan for you.

Why do you need hospice? Hospice is a service used when you have a terminal illness that will cause death in 6 months or less. Hospice teams help you live the rest of your life the best you can and have a comfortable death. They teach your family about the care and medicines you may need during the dying process.

What will hospice cost my family and me? Following are several ways that you can find help to pay for hospice.

*Medicare will pay for most all hospice services.

*Medicaid also pays for hospice in many states.

*Most private insurance companies have hospice benefits, but what and how much they pay for may vary.

*If you do not have any of these, the hospice may help you find other ways to pay. Many hospices also offer care for those who cannot pay. They use money that was given as gift by the community groups or thankful families.

Are all hospices the same? All hospices paid by Medicare/Medicaid must offer the same services and type of team members. Some may give you more hours of home health aide care per week. Others provide different types of medical equipment with or without charge. When you are thinking about using hospice, call several of them to explain their services. But the basics services should always be the same.

*All medications related to the illness causing you to die.

*All levels of care for special situations.

*Home Care: This is the basic care given at home or in the nursing home.

*Inpatient Care: For very bad problems you may go to the hospital for several days

*Continuous care: Used in times of emergency in the home when going to the hospital may not be needed.

*Respite care: You may go to a nursing home or an In-patient center 1 to 5 days while your family rests, goes to a special event, or takes a mini-vacation.

*Hospice team: your doctor, other doctors who work for the hospice, nurses, home health aides (CNA’s), social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, therapists (th-air-uh-pists), bereavement (b-ree-ment) counselors and volunteers.

*IV’s for medicines, chemotherapy (kee-mo-thair-uh-p) or radiation (ra-d-a-shun) to keep you comfortable and as pain-free as possible.

*Medical equipment for comfort care such as hospital bed, oxygen, and so on.

*Medical supplies as needed for your treatments.

*Services available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-week to answer questions, and make visits.

Coping: Accepting that you have a terminal illness is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, your family, or your friends about your feelings. Call or write one of the following groups for more information.

*National Hospice Organization 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 901 Arlington, VA 22209 Phone: 1-703-243-5900 Phone: 1-800-658-8898 Web Address: http://www.nho.org

*US Department of Health & Human Services - Administration on Aging Eldercare Locator US Department of Health & Human Services - Administration on Aging 927 15th Street NW, Sixth Floor Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 1-800-677-1116 Web Address: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/elderpage/locator.html

*National Health Information Center P.O. Box 1133 Washington, DC 20013-1133 Phone: 1-301-565-4167 Phone: 1-800-336-4797 Web Address: http://www.health.gov/NHIC

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about death and the dying process. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Record Number: A128107622

SOURCE:
CareNotes.  Sept 1, 2004 pNA.

Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2004 A Thomson Healthcare Company