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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSPICE |
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Why is Hospice care Important? Who are the members of the Hospice Team? Who pays for Hospice programs? Does Hospice only serve Fayette County? What is Hospice? Hospice is a different pathway of medical care. It is a medical service that cares for patient's with terminal illnesses and their families. Hospice strives to meet all of the patient's needs - physical, emotional and spiritual - as well as the needs of the family. The idea of Hospice is not new. Hospices provided comfort, kindness and nourishment to people in need hundreds of years ago. Today, hospices offer comfort to people as they near the end of life's journey. Why is Hospice care important? Hospice medical care is important because it provides many benefits that aren't possible in a traditional health-care setting. Hospice means "I will journey with you." Through Hospice, the family is directly involved in making decisions and in helping a person they love. Hospice enables people with terminal illnesses to make decisions about how and where they want to spend the rest of their lives. It can also help them make choices about advance medical directives. What makes Hospice special? Hospice care focuses on the unique needs of patients by making them more comfortable and helping them use their physical abilities as fully as possible. Though seriously ill people may not be as active as they used to be, Hospice can help them enjoy their favorite things. Things like certain foods, music, and sharing time with family and friends. Hospice can also help with practical issues, such as putting financial matters in order or making funeral arrangements. Hospice patients are cared for so they know they are still important to others. Patients are given honest, compassionate answers to their questions and are encouraged to express how they think and feel. All of these needs are also addressed with family members. Hospice medical services are special because the concentration is on care -- not cure. One of the major fears of the terminally ill is the fear of pain. For the Hospice Team, the goal is to achieve control over pain, without impairing alertness. By achieving physical and emotional comfort, patients and families can concentrate on the precious things of life in its final stages. The earlier a patient and their family enters the program, the more effective the medical care. Usually, family or friends care for patients at home, amid familiar surroundings. It is not possible, however, for one person to meet all the needs of a seriously ill person. Hospice uses a team approach. Professionals, with many different skills, work with the caregiver for the good of the patient and the family. Help is available 24 hours a day. Hospice is always a phone call away. Hospice care helps prepare family and friends for the loss of a loved one. Additional support is also provided, for thirteen months, to family and friends after the loss. Who are the members of the Hospice Team? The members of the Hospice Team are specially trained professionals who help patients to be as comfortable as they can be. The Hospice of Fayette County Team consists of licensed registered nurses, a licensed home health aide, a licensed social worker, a medical director, a chaplain, and trained volunteers. Also on the Team are pharmacists, therapists (speech, physical, occupational), dietitians, and administrative staff. Patients, families, and friends are also an integral part of the Team. Where is Hospice care provided? Hospice care is provided in a setting that best suits the needs of the patient and caregivers. Home is the usual care setting, either the patient's home or a family member's home. A family member or friend assumes the role of primary caregiver. The caregiver receives support from the Hospice Team. If a patient's home is a nursing facility and this setting best suits the needs of the patient, that is where Hospice delivers services. Who pays for Hospice programs? Hospice of Fayette County is fortunate to have on-going financial support from our service area community through local fundraising events, memorial gifts and donations, and membership in the Hospice corporation. Reimbursement for medical services provided comes from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Hospice of Fayette County never charges a patient or family for services provided. When a patient is neither Medicare or Medicaid appropriate, nor has private insurance, Hospice absorbs the cost of services provided to that patient. That is why Hospice of Fayette County is so appreciative of community support. Many people think of Hospice as a program for elderly people who are dying of cancer. Not true! Hospice is for anyone, any age, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is not seeking curative treatment. Hospice is about the quality of living that occurs between diagnosis and death. Cancer is not the only disease that is appropriate for Hospice care. Hospice of Fayette County has provided care to patients with heart diseases, lung disorders, failure to thrive, dementia, and liver or kidney diseases to name a few.
Advance
medical directives
are legal documents that allow you to state what kind of
medical treatment you do and do not want in the event that you become unable
to communicate your wishes. Advance medical directives can help
protect your right to choose your care and they can help your family by
relieving them of the responsibility and stress of having to make difficult
decisions on your behalf. Advance medical directives help your
physician by giving guidance for your health care. There are two types
of advance medical directives. One is a living will which is written
instructions that explain your wishes for health care if you are unable to
communicate. The second type of advance medical directive is a durable
power of attorney for health care. This is a document that lets you
name a person to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do
so. For information about advance medical directives contact your
lawyer or Hospice of Fayette County. Volunteers are an important part of the care that is delivered to patient's and families. Trained Hospice volunteers may provide direct patient care by helping with chores, providing light meals, or giving a caregiver a respite period. Providing companionship and support is a very important part of being a direct patient volunteer. Volunteers may also help with fundraising events or work in the office. If you are interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer, please call the office and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator. Does Hospice only serve Fayette County? It is a misconception that we serve only Fayette County. The office is based in Fayette County, but Hospice of Fayette County provides care to communities in Clark, Greene, Clinton, Ross, Highland, Pickaway and Madison counties. Our service area, though not set in stone, has been developed with the most effective response time to all patients considered.
Hospice of Fayette County, established in 1987, is a vital part of the health care continuum in our service area. We are the experts in pain management. We understand bereavement issues as no other entity does. We are patient advocates -- because everyone has the right to have their end-of-life issues respected. If you would like more information regarding our services or information regarding appropriateness for the program, please call the office at 740-335-0149.
This site was last updated 07/17/08 |
