Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Hospice?
How do I get Hospice care?
When is the time for Hospice?
What are the different levels of Hospice care?
What is the role of the physician?
What if our physician doesn't know about Hospice?
Can a Hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
Is the home the only place Hospice care can be delivered?
How does Hospice "manage pain"?
What is hospice's success rate in battling pain?
Is Hospice affiliated with any religious organization?
Is Hospice covered by insurance?
What does Hospice cover?
If the patient has no insurance will Hospice For Utah still provide care?
What does the Hospice admission process involve?
Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before Hospice care begins?
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
Must someone be with the patient at all times?
How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients?
Are there initial steps I can take to make sure I get Hospice care when the time comes?
Does Hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a program of compassionate, family centered care. It allows the patient with a terminal illness to remain at home, in greater control of his or her life, surrounded by the people and things that give life meaning. The physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of terminal disease affect everyone in the home. Hospice care serves the entire family, not just the patient, and continues after death with bereavement support. Hospice concentrates on making patients as pain free and comfortable as they want to be so they can make the most of the time that remains. We believe quality of life to be as important as length of life.
How do I get Hospice care?
A referral to Hospice can be made whenever a patient and family are dealing with a life limiting illness. The patient can be referred to hospice by family members, friends, clergy or health professionals and must be approved by the patient's physician. Hospice For Utah will evaluate the patient and if appropriate, will coordinate individualized care with the family and primary physician.
When is the time for Hospice?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness of six months or less can benefit from the comfort of Hospice. As Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, our goal is to make the patient as comfortable and alert as possible. This provides opportunity for the patient to live their last days in a way they desire. The sooner that Hospice care begins, the more the patient and family can benefit from it's many services.
What are the different levels of Hospice care?
Routine Home Care - This level of care is provided where ever the patient resides, at home, a skilled nursing facility, or an assisted living center . Continuous Care - Hospice nurses and home health aides provide intensive care for short periods of time to manage a crisis situation in the home. In-Patient Care - When the patient is experiencing acute pain or symptoms that cannot be adequately managed in the home, the patient will be admitted to a skilled nursing facility or hospital where short term intensive care is provided. Respite Care - Respite care is provided in a hospital or skilled nursing facility to allow the patient's primary caregiver a rest. Up to five days of respite care are allowed at a time.
What is the role of the physician?
The Hospice For Utah team works under the supervision of the patient's family physician, who continues to provide primary medical services. Our full time medical director is Dr. Gary Holland. He is a family practitioner trained in pain management and end of life care. Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Holland consults with the patient's primary physician in caring for the patient and visits patients where ever they reside, to care for the patient's medical needs.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of Hospice?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends.
What if our physician doesn't know about Hospice?
Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician wants more information, it is available from Hospice For Utah, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, medical societies or the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Help line, 1-800-658-8898. In addition, information on Hospice is available from the American Cancer Society, The American Association of Retired Persons and the Social Security Administration.
Can a Hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
Certainly. If improvement in condition occurs and the disease seems to be in remission, the patient will be discharged from Hospice care and returned to aggressive therapy or go on about their daily life.
Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
Hospice does nothing either to speed up or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth, so Hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.
Is the home the only place Hospice care can be delivered?
Hospice care is provided anywhere the patient resides.
How does Hospice "manage pain"?
Hospice nurses and doctors are trained in the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients in remaining as mobile and self-sufficient as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, diet counseling and other therapies. Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it addresses these, as well. Counselors, including clergy, are available to assist family members as well as patients.
What is hospice's success rate in battling pain?
Very high. Using a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them. Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what's happening? Usually not. It is the goal of hospice to help the patient be as comfortable and alert as they desire. By constantly consulting with the patient, hospice can be very successful in reaching this goal.
Is Hospice affiliated with any religious organization?
Hospice care is not affiliated with any religion. While some religious organizations have started hospices, each serves a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs. Hospice For Utah is not affiliated with any religion and works with patients regardless of their religious beliefs.
Is Hospice covered by insurance?
Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid in some 42 states - including Utah, and by most private insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should check with their employer or health insurance provider. Patients who don't have insurance can be accepted by Hospice For Utah based on health needs rather than their ability to pay. To provide this care the Hospice For Utah Foundation relies on charitable donations.
What does Hospice cover?
I n general, hospice covers services related to the terminal illness. The coverage includes physician services, nursing care, medical equipment, supplies and drugs for symptom management and pain relief. It also includes short-term inpatient and respite care, home health aide services, physical and other therapies, as well as social worker services and bereavement counseling.
If the patient has no insurance will Hospice For Utah still provide care?
First hospice will assist families in finding out whether the patient is eligible for any coverage they man not be aware of. Patients who don't have any insurance can be accepted by Hospice For Utah based on health needs rather than their ability to pay. To provide this care the Hospice For Utah Foundation relies on charitable donations.
What does the Hospice admission process involve?
Hospice will contact the patient's primary care physician to make sure they agree that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. An appointment will then be set for representatives from Hospice For Utah to visit with the patient, family and/or caregivers and explain in detail what hospice provides and answer any questions. If the patient and/or family feels that all curative measures have been exhausted and that comfort care is the focus, an admission to hospice will be completed. Consent forms will be signed and a plan of care will be developed with the needs of the patient and family in mind.
Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before Hospice care begins?
Hospice For Utah will assess your needs, recommend any necessary equipment and make arrangement to obtain it. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the illness progresses. In general, hospice will assist in any way it can to make home care a convenient, clean and safe as possible.
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
There is no set number. Along with the patient and/or family, the hospice team will prepare an individualized care plan that among other things, will address the amount of care-giving a patient needs. The hospice staff will visit regularly and are accessible 24 hours/day to answer questions and provide support.
Must someone be with the patient at all times?
I n the early weeks of care, it's usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, hospice generally recommends someone be there continuously. While family and friends must be relied on to give most of the care, hospices do provide volunteers to assist with errands and to provide a break and time away for major caregivers.
How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
I t's never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the end of a long progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, Hospice For Utah has staff available around the clock to consult with the family and to make night visits as appropriate.
What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients?
Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists and volunteers - and each provides assistance based on their area of expertise. In addition, hospices help provide medications, supplies, equipment, hospital services and additional helpers in the home, as appropriate.
Are there initial steps I can take to make sure I get Hospice care when the time comes?
Ideally, everyone would make their views about end-of-life care known to their families long before any illness strikes. There are two ways to make your wishes known. A Living Will is written instructions to make known what you want done, if, for example, you are seriously ill and the only way you can be kept alive is by artificial means. The other is a Durable Power of Attorney, which authorizes a person of your choosing to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so for yourself. Both of these forms are available from Hospice For Utah.
Does Hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
Hospice For Utah provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least a year following the death of a loved one. Hospice For Utah also sponsors bereavement and support groups for anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a family member, a friend or a loved one.
