UNDERSTANDING HOSPICE

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND HOSPICE? Our care and services overlap Continuity of Care Passing the baton

WHAT IS HOSPICE CARE? Hospice is a philosophy and type of care that provides comprehensive, loving support for people with illnesses that have progressed beyond a doctor’s expectation for cure Focus is on caring not curing Hospice provides support for physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. It takes a holistic view of the person. The care provided manages distressing pain and other symptoms – the goal is comfort and quality of life

HOSPICE CARE – THE PHILOSOPHY Hospice philosophy is based on the belief that… The dying process is a part of the normal process of living The quality of life remaining can be enhanced Hospice should neither hasten nor postpone death but rather walk alongside the patient & loved ones

CURATIVE CARE VS. COMFORT CARE Curative Care Disease driven Doctor in charge Disease process is primary Few choices Comfort Care Symptom driven Patient is in charge Disease process is secondary to person Many choices Comfort & quality of life are the focus; home or homelike place

HOSPICE CARE SETTINGS Care is given at the place the patient calls home Private Home Assisted Living RCFE/Board and Care Skilled Nursing Facility

COMPONENTS OF HOSPICE 1.Hospice Team 2.Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies 3.Medications

THE HOSPICE TEAM Interdisciplinary Team Holistic view of patient requires team approach Patient and loved ones are at core of the Hospice Team

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Interdisciplinary Team 1.Physician 2.Nurse 3.Social Worker 4.Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor 5.Therapists 6.Home Health Aide 7.Volunteers

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES Provision of durable medical equipment and supplies are needed as the person’s physical condition declines

MEDICATIONS

BEREAVEMENT Grieving is a necessary passage and a difficult transition to finally letting go of sorrow – it is not a permanent rest stop - Dodinsky

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR HOSPICE? Criteria 1.A prognosis of life expectancy of 6 months or less if the disease takes its expected course 2.Patient or Responsible Party choses comfort care versus curative treatments 3.No regard to age, gender, nationality, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, availability of a primary caregiver, or ability to pay.

WHO PAYS FOR HOSPICE CARE? Multiple sources of payment Medicare Medi-Cal VA Benefit Most private insurance plans and HMOs (coverage varies by plan) Private pay Charitable Foundations No insurance (varies by hospice company)

WHEN SHOULD ONE SEEK HOSPICE CARE? Hospice care works best when families utilize it sooner than later when their doctor tells them that treatments are no longer working Studies have shown that people live longer and have better quality of life with hospice care Families often tell us “I wish I had known about hospice sooner”, or that “I wish we had come on to the hospice program sooner”

SUMMARY The goal of hospice care is to maintain the highest level of dignity, comfort and quality of life possible for patient and family/loved ones.

“YOU MATTER BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU. YOU MATTER TO THE LAST MOMENT OF LIFE, AND WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN, NOT ONLY TO HELP YOU DIE PEACEFULLY, BUT ALSO TO LIVE UNTIL YOU DIE.” DAME CECILY SAUNDERS HERALD-SUN, PALLIATIVE CARE WEEK FINAL THOUGHTS 6/22/18 – 7/14/05