Hospice for End of Life Care
Some people get frightened or confused when they hear the word "hospice." That's because there are many myths and misconceptions about what hospice is and what it can do for people who are nearing the end of their lives.
But thoughts of hospice shouldn't bring fear. Instead, hospice can be a tremendous source of help and comfort to people who are nearing the end of life and to their family.
What is hospice?
Hospice cares for people who are terminally ill. Its team of
specially trained professionals provides unique expert care, pain
management, and emotional and spiritual support that are tailored
to the individual patient's needs and wishes. The focus is on
caring, not curing. Recognizing the tremendous toll that illness
takes on family members, the hospice team also comforts and
supports the patient's loved ones, both during the illness
and through bereavement counseling.
Who can receive hospice care?
Hospice is available to anyone regardless of illness, culture,
age, gender or financial status. It requires the patient has a
terminal illness, has been certified by a medical professional as
having a prognosis of six months or less, and does not wish to
pursue curative treatment.
How does hospice work?
After hospice receives a referral from a medical professional,
members of the hospice staff visit the patient to assess the
patient's overall needs, as well as to set up a care team.
The patient, hospice, and the primary caregiver (usually a member
of the family) work together to create a care plan.
From the moment a patient enters hospice care, he or she can get a wide range of services, including:
- Physician services
- Regular home visits by registered and licensed practical
nurses
- Home health aides to assist in activities of daily living,
such as dressing and bathing
- Social work and counseling services
- Medical equipment, such as hospital beds and oxygen equipment
- Medical supplies, such as bandages and catheters
- Pain management and symptom control
- Volunteer support to assist exhausted caregivers and family
members
- Specialized services, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and nutritional counseling
Where do I get hospice services?
You don't have to go anywhere - hospice comes to you. Whether
you are in a nursing home, hospice facility, hospital or in your
own home, hospice professionals provide services wherever you
live and are most comfortable. This flexibility in service is
part of the hospice mission to help patients live their lives as
they wish.
How do I pay for hospice?
If you have Medicare, it can pay for hospice. Many other types of
health plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
and preferred provider organizations (PPOs) cover costs related
to hospice care. If you have Medicaid, it can also pay for
hospice.
How do I find a hospice program in my community?
Your physician and other medical professions know of the hospice
programs in your area. Two other resources are the National
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice
Foundation of America.
AARP Resources
Original
Medicare: Getting Care in a Hospital, Nursing Home, at Home and
with Hospice
AARP explains what Medicare Part A covers in hospice care.
Dealing
with Pain
What to do about pain and how to deal with
it.
Checklist: 11 Ways to
Ensure Proper Pain Management
There's no need to stay in pain. The AARP Bulletin gives 11
easy steps to manage your pain.
Finding
Good Health Information Online
Just because information is online doesn't mean it's
accurate; how to tell good sites from bad.
Additional Resources
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
(NHPCO)
Includes information and a database to locate a hospice that
serves your area.
How to Select a Hospice
Program
A consumer's guide from the National Hospice Foundation.
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble.com
"Hospice Choice: In Pursuit of a Peaceful Death," Marcia Lattanzi-Licht, Galen Miller, John Maloney, Simon & Schuster Trade, 1998.
"Hospice Handbook: A Complete Guide, Vol. 1" Larry Beresford, Little, Brown & Company, 1993.
