| WHAT IS HOSPICE? |
Celebrate National Hospice Month What is hospice? This is a great question and many of us do not know the answer so I decided to do some investigating. I browsed the internet and found a web site full of wonderful information. WWW.NHPCO.org stands for National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Hospice is a service that provides compassionate care for individuals with a life limiting condition or illness. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing. Care can be provided in variety of settings including the patient’s home, residential care home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. A hospice agency gives support to the patient and their family during difficult times by providing Register Nurses, Licensed Social Workers, Pastoral Counseling, Bereavement Services, and Volunteer Services. When a patient chooses to have hospice a primary physician must certify that with the normal progression of their illness, life expectancy is six months or less. Heart disease, cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, ALS and/or a combination of unspecified illnesses are just a few examples of illnesses for someone who might need hospice. Some patient’s may live longer than six months and may choose to be taken off hospice at any time to seek curative treatment. They may decide at a later time to have hospice again. Hospice is available to persons of any age, religion or race. Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Medicare and Medicaid will cover hospice services at 100% with no out of pocket expense to the patient. The Hospice benefit will also cover medical equipment, supplies, and medications directly related to the hospice diagnosis and/or medications for pain and comfort. Hospice is a loving service provided by licensed professionals who have dedicated their lives to caring for others in a time where medical care management, emotional, and spiritual support is needed. I guess I am not afraid of the word hospice anymore because each of us has the right to pass on without pain and with dignity. Please check out the web site at WWW.NHPC.org or call Legacy Hospice if you have any questions or need further information. Lorrie Panzeri from
Legacy Home Health and Hospice |
|
|
Treasure Valley Hospice
|
