If a loved one is living with an incurable disease and has a prognosis of six months or less, they should qualify for hospice care. In Fremont, the majority of people in this situation receive hospice services at home – and because Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance plans provide full coverage, patients and families typically have no out-of-pocket costs.
When we speak of hospice services, what do we mean? What can your loved one expect if they choose to enroll in a hospice care program?
On the whole, hospice programs offer care-focused services designed to increase patient comfort at the end of life. To be more specific, services are based on a person’s needs – there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits all care plan, at least not at Suncrest Hospice. Here, we explain what happens when you call for a hospice care consult and the many services your loved one might receive.
Starting the Hospice Process
Starting the Hospice ProcessWhen considering hospice care as an option, the first step is to arrange for a consultation with a local care provider. Your loved one’s physician might recommend a particular hospice company that serves the Fremont area, or you can do your own search. In any case, you should know that anyone can reach out for a consult – there’s no need to wait for a doctor to make the suggestion.
During the introductory visit, here’s what will happen:
- A representative of the hospice company will come out to your loved one’s home (or wherever they’re currently residing) to explain the care services available and answer questions about the program.
- The hospice representative will complete a thorough assessment of your loved one’s condition. The goal here is to identify their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and preferences.
- You, the hospice company representative and your loved one will discuss the plan of care, the services they will receive and what to expect after admission to the program.
The care plan will be designed to meet the needs and wishes of your loved one, and it will specify the following:
- How often the hospice doctors, registered nurses, home health aides, chaplains and other team members will visit
- Which medications will be supplied to relieve pain, nausea, shortness of breath and any other troubling symptoms
- What medical equipment – such as a wheelchair or hospital bed – will be provided to your loved one
- Which medical and personal supplies – like bandages, oxygen tubing and incontinence care items – will be included
When the required paperwork has been signed, either by your loved one or someone who has the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf, admission to the hospice care program will be complete.
Hospice Care Services
At Suncrest and most other hospice companies in the Fremont area, an interdisciplinary team of professionals work together to address each patient’s specific needs. The members of your loved one’s hospice care team might include:
- Hospice doctors and nurses
- Home health aides and social workers
- Speech, physical and occupational therapists
- Counselors and spiritual care providers
- Bereavement support specialists
Trained volunteers may also be a part of the hospice care team. Their assistance may involve listening, providing transportation to appointments, taking care of household chores and helping with personal hygiene.
Hospice patients often choose to have their primary physician on the team as well. Your loved one’s own doctor and the hospice doctor or medical director can collaborate to determine the best approach to care. As for the responsibilities of the hospice care team, comfort and quality of life will be the priorities. To that end, the team members may do the following:
- Control your loved one’s pain and manage their symptoms
- Furnish the necessary medical equipment and supplies
- Coach caregivers on how to provide care and offer support
- Deliver special services, such as art and music therapy
- Help everyone work through the emotional aspects of death
- Provide bereavement counseling to surviving family and friends
Although hospice care programs offer a great deal of support and assistance, a patient’s day-to-day needs are usually met by family members or paid home health aides. If the regular caregivers need a break, the hospice company may provide up to five days of respite care.
Also, hospice care providers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and team members are always ready to respond if concerns arise. In a medical crisis, continuous home care – with in-home support from a registered nurse – may be provided on a short-term basis. In the event that health concerns cannot be addressed at home, the patient temporarily moves to a Fremont hospital or hospice care facility. Once their condition is stabilized, the patient can return home.
Do You Have Questions about Hospice Care?
If you think your loved one might be ready to enroll in hospice – or believe they’ll be eligible soon – contact Suncrest. It’s never too early to learn about the benefits of hospice care services, and we’d be happy to provide the information you need. For a free, no-obligation consultation anywhere in or around Fremont, California, contact us today.
