Hospice Care Basic
WHAT IS HOSPICE?
Hospice is for end-of-life care that focuses on the patient and their family rather than the illness. Advantage Hospice offers medical, emotional, social, and spiritual support centered on quality-of-life considerations.
HOSPICE PHILOSOPHY
Hospice is a specialized program that offers help, comfort, and support to people with serious illness and their families. When a patient reaches the point in his or her illness where cure is no longer the focus of care, but instead comfort and quality of life become primary, hospice can help. Far more than just the medical needs of the patient, hospice focuses on all factors that contribute to the highest possible quality of life – physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Services typically provided by hospice include medical care delivered by specially-trained physicians, nurses, and other clinicians, as well as nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and grief counselors. The focus is on meeting the needs of both patient and family and promoting full and meaningful life when time matters most.
HOSPICE BENEFIT
If you have Medicare, the Medicare Hospice Benefit pays for hospice care for all Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for hospice and choose or elect in writing to receive this special care. Medicare rules specify the requirements for certifying whether a person is eligible or qualifies for the benefit.
Also includes:
Interdisciplinary
Care Team
Medication
Bereavement
Support
Home Medical
Equipment
Who is Eligible for Medicare Hospice Benefit?
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You are eligible if you have Medicare Part A.
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​Your prognosis is 6 months or less.
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​You choose to forgo treatments in favor of symptom management and quality of life.
Note: Only your hospice physician and your primary care physician (if you have one) can certify that you’re terminally ill and have 6 months or less to live.
You may choose to stop hospice services at any time, but you may return later if you meet the eligibility guidelines. If you exceed the predicted life expectancy, you may receive hospice services beyond 6 months. At certain intervals, a hospice physician must meet with you to recertify and confirm your eligibility.
ADVANTAGE CARE TEAM
Our care involves a team-oriented approach to providing personalized medical care, pain & symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families
HOSPICE M.D.
The medical director/hospice physician oversees your hospice team and the care provided. This ensures continuum of care and ability to change medications and services quickly and efficiently. The attending physician and medical director collaborate on the care plan.
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MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK
Hospice social workers help patients and their families navigate planning for end-of-life care; understand their treatment plan and be vocal about their needs; manage the stresses of debilitating physical illnesses, including emotional, familial, and financial. MSWs are resources for families to connect to other supports.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers assist with providing companionship, meal preparation, running errands, light housekeeping, limited respite and a wide variety of other tasks. Many volunteers have experienced a loved one’s death and know what you are going through.
SKILLED NURSING
The RN case manager visits during the week and coordinates efforts of the entire team. Hospice nurses are experts in pain control and focuses on comfort and quality of life. They know exactly what to do for your loved who is in pain or extremely uncomfortable.
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CHAPLAIN
Hospice chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. With a non-anxious, non-judgmental, listening presence, chaplains help others to access their own spiritual resources and strengths in order to find peace and hope.
OTHER
THERAPIES
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services are available to patients as needed to improve quality of life and ensure patient's safety needs are met.
NURSE ASSISTANT
SERVICES
Hospice aides provide a combination of light housekeeping and personal hygiene duties, including bathing, dressing, hair care, and oral care for patients. They change linens, ensure patients are comfortable, and spend time.
BEREAVEMENT
SERVICES
The bereavement coordinator counsels with families by providing an initial bereavement assessment and offering support through the grief experience after the patient dies. They maintain contact with caregivers and families for 13 months after the death of a loved one.
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