|
 Hospice
is a special way of caring for people who are terminally ill, and
for their family. The philosophy of hospice is to provide support
for the patient's emotional, social, and spiritual needs, as well
as their medical symptoms as part of treating the whole person.
It
is intended for all age groups, including children, adults, and
the elderly who no longer desire or can no longer benefit from treatment
aimed at curing their illness. The goal of hospice is to enable
patients to be comfortable and free of pain, so that they live each
day as fully as possible.
Hospice
programs use a team approach, including the services of a doctor,
nurse, social worker, clergy, and volunteers to help you and your
family cope with your illness. Your team and the hospice will work
with you and your family to set up a plan of care that meets your
needs.
As
a hospice patient, you can get comfort care to help you cope with
your illness, not cure it. Comfort care includes drugs for symptom
control and pain relief, physical care, and counseling. Additional
services provided include physical, occupational, and speech therapy;
medical supplies and equipment; dietary needs; and continuous home
care at times of crisis.
 Where
would I get hospice care?
Depending
on your condition, you may have hospice care in a hospice facility,
hospital, nursing home, or even your own home. In fact, many patients
want to stay at home so that they will not be separated from family,
friends, and familiar surroundings. In this situation members of
the hospice team will make regular visits to your house.
A nurse
and a doctor are also on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to give
you and your family support and care when needed. Volunteers are
trained to help with everyday tasks, such as shopping and personal
care services, such as bathing and dressing. At times another caregiver
will provide respite care, so that your or your usual caregiver
can rest.
When
would I need hospice?
Hospice
services are available to persons who can no longer benefit from
curative treatment; the typical hospice patient has a life expectancy
of six months or less. Even if you live longer than six months,
you can get hospice care as long as your doctor recertifies that
you are terminally ill. Sometimes a terminally ill patient's health
improves or their illness goes into remission.
If
that happens, your doctor may feel that you no longer need hospice
care and will not recertify you at that time. If you are eligible,
you can go back to hospice care at any time. Also, as a hospice
patient you always have the right to stop getting hospice care,
for whatever reason. If you stop your hospice care, you will get
your health care from your original doctor.
Will
my insurance pay for hospice care?
For
many people, hospice expenses are paid by health insurance plans.
Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly or disabled
provides payment for hospice care. When a patient receives services
from a Medicare-certified hospice, Medicare hospital insurance pays
almost the entire cost, even for some medications that would not
be paid for outside a hospice program.
Medicaid,
a Federal program that is part of SSA, is designed for patients
who need financial assistance for medical expenses. Information
about hospice coverage for Medicaid recipients is available from
a local public health or welfare office or from the state Medicaid
office. Medical costs that are not covered by insurance are sometimes
tax-deductible. Local civic, charitable, or religious organizations
also may be able to help with hospice expenses.
Where
can I get more information about hospice?
The
first hospice program in the United States began serving patients
in 1974; today more than 3,000 hospice programs across the country
offer comprehensive hospice care. Most insurance plans include hospice
as a covered benefit.
The
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization promotes and monitors
the quality of hospice care. For information about hospice concepts,
practices, and referral, go to http://www.nho.org/.
Your doctor, nurse, or social worker also can provide information
on hospice care.
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