HOSPICE CARE

Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care focused on providing comfort, pain management, and support for individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. The goal of hospice care is to enhance the quality of life for patients and ensure they receive the best possible care during their final stages of life.

Individuals are usually referred to hospice by their personal physician, although individuals can be referred by their families or even by themselves. The hospice nurse evaluates what the person and family needs and develops a plan of care. The plan addresses the entire family’s needs: medical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and support services. The nurse then coordinates the care with a physician and the full team of health professionals. Under the direction of a physician, hospice provides an all-inclusive set of services needed to manage all of a person’s symptoms and complications. Medical care is given, symptom relief is provided, and the patient and family receive the support and understanding they need.

Inspire Hospice provides comprehensive hospice care services, including medical care, pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, family support and education, and bereavement services. Our interdisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, all dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients and their families.

Services include:

• Home Care Services with 24/7 RN Availability
  • Physician Consultation & Oversight
  • Spiritual Care
  • Social Services
  • Assistance with Daily Care by a Nursing Assistant
  • Volunteers for Help and Companionship
  • Counseling & Bereavement Support
• Continuous Bedside Care as Needed
• Inpatient Care for Aggressive Symptom Management
• Respite Care for Relief of the Caregiver
• Music Therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Pet Therapy

Intense caregiver relief programs that include:

• In-home housekeeping services
• Assistance with light meal preparation and feeding
• Intense in-home care and education following a change in patient location
• Bedside assistance as needed
• Caregiver Coffee Break Program designed to provide a volunteer for bedside assistance while a caregiver takes a personal break or runs errands

Medications and supplies including:

• Medications for pain and symptoms
• Medical supplies for in-home care
• Medical equipment for the patient’s care and comfort

You don’t have to wait until your physician brings up hospice. You can take the initiative, you can begin the discussion with your personal physician, or you can request an evaluation directly from a hospice program at any time. Hospice care begins with a referral, usually from your physician, but referrals can be made by you, family members or even friends. If you are not sure you are ready or if you think you want hospice but need more specific information to help you decide, you can ask for a hospice consultation.

Palliative care specialized medical care for people with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care that provides increased home support for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Hospice is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance. It pays for a wide range of support services that are aimed at keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Typically, hospice is able to be provided at no out of pocket expense to the patient or family.

Yes, patients and families can choose to discontinue hospice care at any time. If the patient’s condition improves or they decide to pursue curative treatments, they may discontinue hospice care and resume traditional medical care.

Individuals with a life-limiting illness, with a prognosis of six months or less, are eligible for hospice care. Hospice care is appropriate when curative treatments are no longer effective, and the focus shifts to providing comfort and symptom management.

Yes, hospice care can be provided in the comfort of the patient’s home or in other settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospice care centers. Inspire Hospice works closely with patients and their families to determine the most appropriate care setting based on individual needs and preferences.