Deciding that a loved one needs hospice care is a difficult decision, which is why you want to be sure to choose the right provider. Hospice care can offer many benefits for the patient and their loved ones. At Aleca, we strive to provide the best hospice care possible and are available to answer your questions. We’ve outlined several questions for hospice care you should ask, as well as what hospice care entails so that you can make an informed choice when the time is right.
What You Need to Know About Hospice Care
Generally, those who enter hospice care have six months or less to live without medical intervention.[1] When people choose hospice care, the focus shifts to maintaining comfort rather than trying to cure or treat an illness. Many people with serious diseases, such as cancer, may choose hospice services rather than continue chemotherapy or other treatments. To qualify for hospice care, a patient must meet certain medical criteria and have a doctor’s referral. Medicare Part A will cover hospice care if certain conditions are met.[2]
Hospice care focuses on giving patients the dignity and comfort they deserve during their final days. It can be given anywhere a patient is located, whether it’s a private residence, nursing home, hospital, or hospice facility. Patients are designated a hospice team that usually consists of:
- Registered nurse
- Physician
- Social Worker
- Spiritual Counselor
- Trained Volunteers
The hospice team is not only there to help patients but also to support families. Going through the terminal phase of an illness can be very difficult for families to accept. Having a hospice team on hand can provide family members with someone to turn to and help during the grieving process.
Questions for Hospice Care You Should Ask
What Services and Treatments Are Covered?
Many families want to know what services and treatments hospice care covers. When choosing hospice care, you want to ensure the organization is Medicare-certified. This is necessary if you want Medicare to cover the cost.
How Long Have You Been Serving Patients?
Families take comfort in knowing that their chosen hospice care has experience. You can inquire about how long they have been serving patients and whether families have been satisfied. Read reviews and ask around, in addition to speaking to those providing care.
How Often Will I See Someone from the Hospice Team?
Your hospice team will have other patients but will always do their best to respond quickly and see you often. The frequency of their visits may depend on the patient’s condition. You may see nurses and other team members more frequently as the final days approach. Even if you don’t see anyone in person, someone is always available 24/7 to answer your questions over the phone.
What are the Expectations of the Family When it Comes to Caregiving?
If hospice care is not provided at a facility, many families wonder what the expectations will be for them. This is important to know because caregiver burnout can be troubling, which is why many hospice providers offer respite care. This gives caregivers the time away they need to rest and take care of themselves.
How Does the Hospice Provider Measure and Track the Quality of Care?
You want to feel confident that the provider is regularly performing quality control to ensure that the patient’s needs are met and that care is adequate.
What Types of Bereavement Services are Offered?
Many hospice providers will offer bereavement services, such as support groups, up to one year after a patient dies. This allows family members to deal with their emotions and seek help when they are ready.
Will Pain Control and Symptom Management Be Discussed?
Your hospice team should communicate openly with you regarding pain control and symptom management. You should feel confident that the provider you are choosing is transparent about the care and medication they administer.
Having the answers to these questions can help you make the best decision about hospice care for your loved one.
Are You Looking for Hospice Care? Contact Aleca
Aleca provides quality hospice care for patients with a compassionate staff of nurses, doctors, volunteers, and other team members committed to providing the best possible care. We take the time to get to know our patients and their families so that we can offer the care and support they need during this fragile time.
Aleca hospice care is available in Arizona, Washington, and Oregon. Contact us today to learn more about how our knowledgeable and professional team of healthcare providers can give your loved one the care they need during this difficult time.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care#palliative
[2] https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.