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Frequently
Asked Questions About Hospice
1.
What is Hospice?
Hospice
is a compassionate approach to care whose goal is to help
patients with serious illness live fully, maintain their dignity
and keep personal control over their lives. In medieval times,
hospices were inns of rest which "lodged, cherished and
refreshed” the Crusader, the sick and the dying.
Today, Hospice provides medical care, emotional and
spiritual support to people and their families facing
life-limiting illness in homes, hospitals and nursing homes.
Hospice is available to anyone with an illness whose life
expectancy is measured in months rather than years.
2.
Why Hospice?
Unique
physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial needs occur
during the final phases of a life-limiting illness. Hospice
provides experienced, skilled specialists who give needed help
and support during this difficult time. The Hospice team works
with the attending physician and family to develop care which
meets the patient/family needs and wishes concerning treatment
and lifestyle.
3.
Who uses Hospice
care?
Hospice
serves persons of any age with any life-limiting illness
including, but not limited to, cancer, cardiac disease, renal
disease, neurological illnesses, Lou Gehrig’s disease, AIDS,
cirrhosis, leukemia, and others.
4.
When is the right time to contact Hospice?
At
any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to
discuss all of a patient's care options, including Hospice.
When curative treatments are no longer effective, Hospice
treatments for comfort care are usually indicated. Guidelines
suggest a prognosis of six months or less for Hospice Care.
5.
What exactly is provided?
The
specific services offered by Hospice include consultant
physician services, nursing care, hospice aide care,
spiritual care, social work care, bereavement care, and
volunteer services. Other services provided are therapy
(physical, occupational, speech) and dietary counseling. Drugs
related to the life-limiting illness are provided. In addition
back-up hospital care and respite care can be arranged if
needed.
6.
How does one get involved with Hospice services?
Anyone
can call Hospice with a referral. This includes the doctor,
hospital case manager, patient or a family member or
friend. If the patient or a family member calls, we will
call the patients' doctor to discuss the illness and verify that
Hospice is medically appropriate.
The patient actually becomes admitted to Hospice by
signing a consent form electing Hospice care.
7.
Can a Hospice patient continue with their own doctor?
Yes.
A Hospice medical director is available for consultation with
the patient's doctor. Hospice nurses will work with the
patient's doctor on all aspects of care. If the patient's
doctor does not want to participate with Hospice (which is
rarely the case), Hospice will assist the patient and family in
finding a physician who will work with Hospice.
8.
What is the availability of Hospice Care?
Hospice
has an individual care plan for every patient. Hospice nurses
visit as frequently as the patient's condition dictates. A
Hospice nurse is also accessible 24 hours a day by phone to
respond to questions or emergencies and can make a home visit if
needed. Care is
provided to all patients based on medical necessity.
In addition, Hospice pharmacies are available during
off-hours to ensure that changing medication needs can be met at
any time.
9.
Who pays for Hospice?
Most
health insurances, Medicare, and Medicaid provide full coverage
for Hospice care, usually with no co-payments or deductibles.
Care is provided based on medical need, not on the ability to
pay.
10.
Is caring for the patient at home the only type of care
Hospice offers?
No.
Most of Hospice care is provided to patients in a personal
residence, some patients receive care in nursing homes,
hospitals or Hospice centers.
11.
How can I learn more about Hospice?
To
obtain further information, to apply to be a volunteer or to
inquire about Hospice speakers, call:
HomeCare & Hospice
Serving Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee and Wyoming County
(716) 372-2106 or (800) 719-7129
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Frequently
Asked Questions About Home Care
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Q. What is Home Care?
A. Home Care provides a wide variety of in-home
medical care in Allegany, Cattaraugus,
Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
Services can range from housekeeping and
assistance with personal care tasks to skilled
nursing.
Q. What is a Home
Care Aide?
A. Home Care Aides can provide a wide array of
care, such as help with bathing, grooming,
toileting, walking, meal preparation, feeding,
housekeeping, laundry, and errands. Aides can
sit with patients in a nursing home or
hospital to keep them company.
Q. What level
of skilled nursing is available?
A. Nurses provide skilled care such as
assessment and teaching, medication
administration, IV therapy, injections,
wound care, and catheterization.
Q. What hours
are home care available?
A. Care is available depending on each
patient's individual needs.
Q. Who will
be taking care of me?
A. All employees are thoroughly
screened, and are specially trained,
tested and supervised by a registered
nurse.
Q. I care
for a loved one, but sometimes need a
break. Can you help?
A. Respite care is available to care
for loved ones, allowing caregivers to
take a temporary break from their
responsibilities.
Q.
Can you provide help with
transportation to medical
appointments?
A. Yes. HomeCare & Hospice maintains vehicles, including a
wheel-chair accessible van, and
specially trained drivers that
transport patients to medical
appointments in Western New
York.
For
more information on home
health care services, call us:
(716)
372-2106
or Toll Free 1(800) 719-7129
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