Click here to view our
video covering the concept of hospice.
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with terminal illnesses
and their loved ones. The focus is on care, not cure. Hospice uses
a team approach consisting of people with many different skills, working
together to plan and coordinate care. The team consists of:
| • Family |
• Home Health Aides |
• Counselor |
• Social Workers |
| • Medical Director |
• Patient |
• Dietician/Nutritionist |
• Psychiatrist |
| • Homemaker |
• Volunteers |
• Pharmacist |
• Psychologists |
| • Physicians |
• Nurses |
• Chaplain |
• Therapists |
Why Choose Hospice?
* You will have greater control in making decisions about care.
* Family involvement in the care of a loved one.
* Specialized services for patients to help enjoy each day to its
fullest, including:
| • Symptom management |
| • Pain Management |
| • Grief and spiritual counseling |
• For those living alone at home, Hospice will help
to find a caregiver or help arrange an alternative
setting where the patient's needs can be most appropriately
met. |
* Specialized services for families, such as:
| • Helping families learn to care for their loved one
as well as assistance with care. |
• Managing practical tasks, such as completing financial
applications, running errands, preparing meals, and
giving caregivers time off or respite care. |
| • Support to deal with the stress of an approaching
loss, as well as the demands of being a caregiver. |
| • Providing support, helping the family to come together
in a time of crisis. |
| • Hospice helps create a loving and nurturing environment
where the family can say Good-bye. |
Our Hospice Philosophy
At Butte Home Health and Hospice, we believe:
* Hospice is an affirmation of life.
* Hospice seeks neither to hasten nor postpone death, but accepts
it as a natural part of life.
* At the end of life, every person deserves the best possible care
in the comfort and dignity of home,
or the environment of choice.
* Each patient has the right to direct his or her own care as long
as possible.
Goals of Hospice
* Control and alleviation of pain and debilitating symptoms in the
patient.
* Provision of holistic treatment (physical, social, emotional, &
spiritual) for the patient and their family as a whole.
* Effective use of the hospice team. Physician, nurses, therapists,
and social workers working together to
provide quality care.
* Bereavement support and follow up care for the family.
Admission Criteria
* Approval of the Hospice Medical Director and the attending physician,
who continues to supervise the
care of the patient.
* Life expectancy limited to weeks and months rather then years.
* Patient and family consent to the hospice program.
* Patient has a willing and able caregiver (we will assist in finding
a caregiver for those without one)
Compare the Benefits of Hospice to Original Medicare
| Benefits / Required Services |
Covered Under Medicare |
| Hospice Election |
Part A |
Part B |
Pain or Symptom Control Medications self-administered
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Coverage for Non-Homebound Patients
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
No Deductibles/CO-Payments
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Inpatient Respite Care
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Continuous RN Care In the home during periods of crisis
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Homemakers
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Bereavement Services
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Trained Volunteers
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
| Continuity of Care between inpatient and home settings |
YES |
NO |
N/A |
| A person may leave the Hospice Program at any
time and return to routine coverage under Medicare if needed. |
All care and services are coordinated by the hospice team. Care Programs
include:
- Nursing available 24 hours a
day to provide and manage pain and symptom control. Nurses supervise
and coordinate services and disciplines of care for the patient
and family.
- Physician Services from the
Hospice Medical Director who provides direction to the hospice
team; as well as collaboration with the patient's attending physician.
- Dietician/Nutritionist provides
dietary planning and support to reduce nausea, minimize weight
loss, and maximize health and wellness.
- Physical, Occupational, & Speech
Therapists train caregivers and improve quality of life
with environmental changes.
- Social Services for patient
and family counseling, psychological support, community resources,
and financial assistance.
- Home Health Aides provide intermittent
personal care, support, and environmental hygiene. Home Health
Aides are on-call 24 hours a day. They are activated by the On-Call
Hospice Nurse to provide care, support, and relieve caregiver
crisis and patient need.
- Medication for pain control
and symptom management, including; IV and subcutaneous pain control
pumps, pain control skin patches, and other innovative approaches.
- Medical Supplies, dressings,
diapers, and chux as needed.
- Medical Equipment such as beds
and oxygen for comfort.
- Transportation and accompaniment
to physician appointments.
- Homemaking to assist with housekeeping
and shopping.
- Spiritual Care and Counseling
provided by our Chaplain for both patient and family. Our Chaplain
will assist with resources for end of life issues. The chaplain
is also available for crisis intervention at the time of death
and to assist with funeral or memorial services.
- Bereavement and Grief Support
for the patient and loved ones.
- Trained Volunteers for respite,
emotional support, shopping, errands, and transportation.
|
