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A nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering
underserved populations to make informed healthcare
decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Care
What is “palliative care”? Back to top
Palliative
care, also known as comfort care, means making the patient as comfortable as
possible by providing
relief from distressing
symptoms, easing pain, and/or enhancing the quality of life.
How does a patient enter a hospice program?
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Patients are
referred to hospice care from a number of sources, including their primary
physician, social workers, discharge planners, community agencies, friends and
family members. Patients and/or family members should ask their primary
physicians. You can and should seek a second opinion from another physician or
the sources above if you have any reservations about your physician’s
recommendations.
What are the criteria for admission to hospice care?
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A patient is eligible for hospice care when he or she has a life-limiting
condition with a prognosis of six months or less. For example:
o
Cancer
o
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
o
Alzheimer's disease
o
Cancer
o
Dementia
o
Heart disease
o
Kidney disease
o
Liver disease
o
Lung disease
o
Multiple sclerosis
o
Parkinson's
o
Stroke
o
Parkinson’s
o
Failure to
thrive (usually diagnosed when patient persistently loses
weight)
If you are unsure whether the patient meets any of the above criteria, ask the
primary physician or contact CAHCInc. and we will provide direction.
Is hospice care available only to senior citizens?
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No. Hospice applies
to patients of all ages who fit into the above criteria.
Most often, the term “hospice” simply refers to a
comprehensive, palliative care plan that can be carried out in a
private home, a nursing home, retirement home, or assisted living
facility. Some hospice care providers utilize their own facilities,
including some hospitals, but the majority work with the patient in
an environment in which he or she is most
comfortable.
Does entering hospice mean the patient’s death is imminent?
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Not
necessarily. Patients who are admitted for “failure to thrive,” for example,
have a good chance of improving and being discharged from hospice, depending on
age and other factors. Studies have shown that many patients who receive hospice care early on actually improve.
Can I afford hospice care?
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Eighty
percent of people who use hospice care are over the age of 65, and are
therefore entitled to the services offered by the
Medicare Hospice Benefit
This benefit covers virtually all aspects of hospice care with little
out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family. As a result, the financial
burdens usually associated with caring for a terminally ill patient are
virtually nonexistent. In addition, most private health plans and Medicaid in
45 States and the District of Columbia cover hospice services.
What types of services does hospice care provide?
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Hospice care is a family-centered approach that includes a team of
doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and trained volunteers. They work
together focusing on the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the
patient and family. The goal of hospice is to keep the patient as pain-free and
lucid as possible, with loved ones nearby.
Services available to Medicare hospice recipients:
v
Physician
services for the medical direction of the patient’s care.
v
Regular visits by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
v
24-hour On Call availability
v
Home
health aides and homemakers for services such as dressing and
bathing.
v
Medical social services
v
Spiritual support and counseling
v
Medical equipment such as hospital beds
v
Medical supplies such as bandages and catheters
v
Drugs
for symptom control and pain relief
v
Volunteer support to assist patients and loved ones
v
Respite, in-patient or continuous care
v
Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and
dietary counseling
v
Bereavement support
How do I know if hospice is the best option for me and my loved one?
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Take CAHC’s two-minute
hospice eligibility quiz.
Do Alzheimer’s patients qualify for hospice care?
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Yes, but studies show that hospice could help many more Alzheimer’s and dementia patients than it currently serves.
This is partly due to the patient’s inability to communicate that they are in pain or discomfort.
Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with no other life-limiting conditions are evaluated for hospice care
according to slightly different criteria.
Would you like to know more?
Have a question we haven’t answered?
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Call or email us! 215-552-0073 ~
info@cahcinc.org
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