How to Prepare Before Hospice Care
They say ‘home is where the heart is’, where you are surrounded with love from dear ones. But for many people, their physical home is a place of safety, comfort, and loving memories. It’s a place where they wish to live out their final days. When someone gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, they may fear a loss of control in which they will be forced to leave their home. At-home hospice care is an option that allows the terminally ill to remain in the comfort of their home with daily assistance. Here are some important steps to consider before entering hospice care.
Who Is Eligible for Hospice?
In order to receive hospice services, before applying a physician must certify that the patient has a terminal illness and is expected to live for six months or less. When entering into hospice care, the patient will cease treatments that focus on curing the disease and will start care that focuses on relieving symptoms and promoting comfort. Patients that have MediCare or MediCal will never incur out-of-pocket costs for hospice services. Patients with private insurance can also receive hospice services, but coverage varies.
Ask for a Free Consultation
If you’ve never known anyone who has received hospice care before, you may have a lot of questions about what to expect. An important pre-hospice care step is to talk to a hospice team member. Consultations are completely free and can be initially done over the phone or with an in-home visit. You will want to ask a lot of questions during your consultation such as:
What are the types of services we can expect to receive?
What types of hospice professionals are employed by your agency?
How often will hospice team members visit?
What kind of hours can we expect throughout the week?
What happens during emergencies?
What if a higher level of care is needed beyond in-home care?
The hospice representative will explain the services they provide and insurance options. They may also conduct an assessment of the patient’s condition. During the consultation, there is no pressure for you to make an immediate decision. You can take plenty of time afterward to discuss everything with your loved one, other family members, and your physician before hospice care begins.
Provided Medical Supplies and Equipment
When getting ready pre-hospice care, you’ll want to learn all about the medical supplies and equipment that can be provided for the patient. Opting to accept necessary supplies can help lower costs of care moving forward. For patients with MediCare and MediCal, all necessary medical supplies and equipment are provided, delivered, and set up with no out-of-pocket costs. Some of the most common supplies and equipment that are included with hospice care include:
Hospital bed
Wheelchair
Walker
Beside commode
Oxygen and oxygen-delivering equipment
Shower chair
Wet wipes
Wound care supplies
Underpads
Masks
Gloves
Feeding pumps
Preparing the Home Before Hospice Care
Hospice provides the medical supplies, equipment, and care that make patients more comfortable. However, the family members can also do a great deal to increase the patient's comfort while receiving care. You’ll want to think about how to keep your loved one entertained, well-fed, and at ease. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Designate a spot nearby to keep snacks and drinks.
Consider modern devices that make it easy to change temperature, light, and sound.
Get a comfortable armchair for relaxing while watching TV, reading, or having visitors.
Headphones for entertainment can be helpful for patients with hearing loss.
Move objects out of the way that could be a tripping hazard.
Use nightlights to illuminate pathways.
Whether hospice care will be given at the patient’s home, a family member’s home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home, it’s important to make their space as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
Completing Admissions Before Hospice Care
Healthcare paperwork can be confusing, but don’t worry! An experienced staff member from the hospice team will help guide you through the pre-hospice care admissions process. They will explain any paperwork that needs to be completed and keep you updated along the way. If private insurance is being used, they can also help connect you with financial resources if needed.
What to Expect After Admission
Once your admissions have been properly processed, you can expect to meet with different members of the hospice team who will be working directly with the patient. They will discuss with you about patient goals, symptoms, expectations, and the hospice services that will be provided.
Before hospice care starts, the patient’s initial care plan will be formed based on their individual needs. Over time as the patient’s needs change, the care plan can be adapted. Together, you and the team will figure out how often care will be provided by hospice professionals including nurses, doctors, nursing aids, social workers, spiritual and bereavement counselors, and others.
What NOT to Expect From Hospice Care
Before considering hospice care, you’ll want to note a few hospice misconceptions. Typically, hospice is not a 24-hour beside care service unless a medical crisis occurs. Even then, 24-hour hospice care is limited to short periods with the goal of returning the patient to routine at-home care. When an emergency occurs, patients have access to on-call nurses and physicians, but response time can vary. It may take up to 24 hours for a hospice team member to be able to respond. While hospice provides invaluable services from experienced professionals, a primary caregiver will still be needed to provide support.
Now that you are more informed, preparing before hospice care shouldn’t seem too daunting! With proper communication between the hospice team, the patient, and their family members, the process is made even simpler. At A & H Hospice, our trained hospice professionals are happy to help answer all your questions along the way. Contact us today to get your free consultation started.