Hospice at Home
Hospice at home is about making every day count. Hospice at home allows patients the chance to spend their final time in comfortable, familiar surroundings. The care given is provided by the hospice teams listed above and seeks to provide the highest possible care to patients and their families. In addition, Medicare will provide much of the equipment needed for home hospice. Over two-thirds of hospice programs are approved by Medicare. Medicaid and private health insurance will pick up the portion of care that Medicare does not cover. Hospice is not only caring, but it is also affordable.
To qualify for home hospice in all 50 states, all that is needed is a doctor's certified statement saying the patient is not expected to live longer than six months.
Palliative Hospice
The term palliative means any care that involves alleviating the symptoms and pain. Hospice is palliative care for the dying. It involves the patient and the family, while traditional palliative care only involves the patient. The goal of palliative hospice is to provide care for all parts of the patient's life, including:
- Physical needs
- Social needs
- Emotional needs
- Spiritual needs
There is no restriction by age. Palliative Hospice serves everyone from the elderly to those stricken at a young age with a terminal disease.
Hospice Nursing
Hospice nursing is provided by trained caregivers. Hospice nursing requires nurses take special courses and be certified in the care of the terminally ill. They are kind and compassionate to the family as well as the patient.
Hospice Agencies
Additionally, local Medicaid offices and Medicare offices may have information on any hospice care service covered under their plans.