Often, when people think of hospice care, they think about end-of-life or final days; the last resort for care. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Hospice is specialized care that enables those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness to make decisions about their medical care and to live life to the fullest. It is about quality of life, not end of life. And, research shows those who receive hospice care not only increase their quality of life, but also the quantity of life – they may live longer.
How does hospice care increase quality of life and possibly length of life? Hospice care eliminates the stress and discomfort associated with life’s transitions, so the patient and his/her family are able live these moments together.
An expert team of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, volunteers, chaplains and counselors work with the patient and family to develop a care plan for this next stage of life. Respecting the patient’s wishes is the foundation of hospice care. Implementing those wishes is the goal of the hospice team.
To help with the transition into this stage of life, social workers work with the patient and family by providing support and necessary resources such as in-home medical supplies and patient care, support groups, navigating insurance planning for the final days and services and more.
Physicians and nurses create a plan of care to manage the physical symptoms of the illness and pain control, as needed. Medical care focuses on comfort care and symptom management, rather than curing the illness, reducing the need for tests, physician visits, hospital admissions, etc.
Volunteers spend time with the patient and give family members an opportunity to take care of life’s responsibilities. Bereavement counselors provide emotional support for the patient and family, including children, as they prepare for celebration of life services, and they continue to support the family for the year following the passing of their loved one.
In-Home Care
Hospice is about respecting the wishes of the patient, including where they want to live during their final stage of life. The purpose of hospice is to help the patient live with comfort and dignity. Most patients prefer to stay in their own homes. The hospice team provides care to the patient in their home and coordinates all the resources needed to do so. For some, staying in their own home is not an option and home is now in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, or a hospice home. Wherever the patient calls home, hospice care can be provided.
Paying for Hospice
When looking into hospice services, financial costs may be of concern. Fortunately, state Medicaid, federal Medicare and most private insurers cover hospice care. If a patient is a veteran, they may also have special benefits through the Veteran’s Administration. Another option is non-profit hospice providers, such as Vista Hospice, who offer sliding-fee costs scales and scholarships to those who have limited resources.
Eligibility
To be eligible for hospice services, a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has a life expectancy of six months or less. However, once a patient is enrolled in hospice, this life expectancy often increases. When this happens, the patient is taken off of hospice care status and becomes eligible for other programs until the illness begins to progress toward an end-of-life status again. Some patients elect to enter hospice services when they no longer want life-sustaining or cure treatments such as cancer treatments. Because hospice is about choice, the patient may choose to discontinue hospice services at any time. FBN
Vista Hospice, formerly Northland Hospice & Palliative Care, is a non-profit hospice that serves the diverse communities of Northern Arizona with compassionate end-of-life care, regardless of ability to pay. For more than 30 years, Vista Hospice has provided physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and families. The Olivia White Hospice Home is part of Vista Hospice. To learn more about Vista Hospice or Olivia White Hospice Home, visit VistaHospice.org or call 928-779-1227. Like Vista Hospice on Facebook.
By Patricia Bartholomew