Hospice services are available to persons who can no longer benefit from curative treatment; the typical hospice patient has a life expectancy of six months or less.
HOSPICE CRITERIA
Patients will be admitted to Home Hospice based on the following criteria:
- The patient has a life-limiting illness (i.e. cancer, Alzheimer's, AIDS, etc.) if the disease follows its normal progression
- Efforts to cure have ceased, and concentration is on providing physical, mental, social, and spiritual care.
- There is at least one 24-hour care giver in the home.
- The patient's physician consents to and authorizes hospice care.
- The patient resides in our service area.
- The patient and family are fully informed and elect to participate.
- The care needed is within the scope of service provided and is in a safe home.
“You allowed me to“leave“ my brother with such peace in my heart, something I hadn't had before.“ — Big Spring
HOSPICE SERVICES
Home Hospice provides core services on an intermittent schedule and is available for emergencies, 24 hours a day. Services are provided by a team of trained professionals - physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, social workers, aides, and volunteers - who provide medical care and support services not only to the patient but to the patient's family and loved ones. We also pay for medications related to the illness as well as medications used for comfort care. Durable medical equipment and supplies are covered as well. Hospice care is provided to patients in private homes, nursing homes, and inpatient facilities. Also, respite care can be arranged to support care givers and families of the terminally ill.
BEREAVEMENT
Following the death of a patient, we provide bereavement care to significant others and the community at large. Home Hospice helps prepare the patient's family and friends for the loss of their loved one. The Home Hospice team continues to offer support after the loss, as life continues for the survivor. Home Hospice offers a six-week seminar entitled Life After Loss, a bereavement/grief workshop that is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Dealing with the death of a loved one is one of life's most difficult and stressful experiences. Often, people feel lonely and confused because family and friends expect them to move beyond the death, yet their grieving continues. Participants begin to understand the grief process, their emotions, and how to deal with them. Participants can discover that there is life after loss and begin to rebuild their life. This program is offered at no charge to the participants.