WHAT IS HOSPICE?
COMFORT CARE. SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE.
Hospice is physical, emotional and spiritual support for patients and families living with advanced complex illness. Hospice is a team, working with a patient’s physician to maximize pain relief and comfort. The team includes home health aides and nurses who see to the patient’s medical needs and help family members and caregivers understand any medical changes that may occur. Social workers also visit with patients and families to provide psychological and social support and offer their skills in securing community services and making necessary plans. Pastoral care staff are on hand to offer spiritual support to individuals of any belief system. Volunteers visit to do everything from singing to sitting vigil. Bereavement services are offered to families. In addition, alternative therapies, like massage, music therapy and pet therapy, are often available.
When Is the Right Time? Hospice care should be considered when a person has a life-limiting illness that is progressing despite treatment. This decision does not need to be made alone. Consulting loved ones, doctors and hospice staff can help to chart the best course. Because of the support and care we offer at Rainbow Hospice, our families often tell us they wish they had taken advantage of our services sooner. Make a call to find out if hospice could help your loved one and family. Choosing a Hospice Many people do not realize that there are a number of hospice providers to choose from and not all hospices are the same. When choosing a hospice, make sure it is
accredited by a reputable, independent accrediting body like the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP). The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (www.caringinfo.org) offers Family Evaluation of Hospice Care information and other resources to help you ensure that the hospice you choose has the high standards you desire. Of course, talking to hospices to determine if they fit with your family goals is the final determining factor. Why Choose Rainbow? According to The Journal of Palliative Medicine, only 11% of nursing home residents with advanced dementia are referred to hospice. Patients with dementia can reap great benefits from hospice care and advanced dementia is, in fact, a qualifying condition for
WHAT IS HOSPICE?
hospice care under insurance guidelines. Hospice providers skilled in dementia care apply person-centered care principles to evaluate a patient’s worsening or changing symptoms. Too often, patients with dementia have unmet OMFORT ARE needs due to communication issues; a skilled hospice staff understands that people with dementia communicate through behaviors and will NCOURAGEMENT seek to find their underlying causes. Patients with dementia are all too often left to sit or lie UPPORT AND stationary for too long; they then become vulnerable to infections, particularly UTIs; and are given psychotropic drugs CELEBRATION LIFE that treat behaviors rather OF than the underlying causes of the behaviors. Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care (www.rainbowhospice.org), an Illinois-based non-profit hospice care provider, offers skilled dementia care to patients and dementia-specific educational offerings to the medical community. For the loved ones of a patient with dementia, the advanced stages of the disease can be confusing and heartbreaking. Hospice workers trained in dementia care can help explain the symptoms, behaviors and medical treatments for dementia care and offer support and counseling to guide a patient’s loved ones through the process.
C S A
C
. E
.
.
Regardless of diagnosis, hospice care can greatly enhance the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting diagnoses. Through a range of assistance options, hospice treats the whole patient – physically, emotionally and spiritually – as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Not all hospice providers are the same: be sure the hospice Hospice physical, emotional spiritual needed supportand formeets patients families with advanced you chooseisoffers the range of care and and expertise yourand family’s goals.living CHAP-accredited Rainbow complex illness. team,care working with aforpatient’s physician maximize pain and with Hospice offers overHospice 30 years is of askilled and support families and patientsto alike, as well as ourrelief Dementia Dignity program, bereavement for children, and loved ones, more. Call to learn more,needs regardless comfort. The team includessupport home health aidesfamilies and nurses who seeand to the patient’s medical and of whether you’re making early plans or if you’re in need of immediate assistance.
help family members and caregivers understand any medical changes that may occur. Social workers also visit with patients and families to provide psychological and social support and offer their skills in hospices are securing community services and making necessary plans. Pastoral careNot staff all are on hand to offer same. You have spiritual support to individuals of any belief system. Volunteers visit to dothe everything from singing to a choice. sitting vigil. Bereavement services are offered to families. In addition, alternative therapies, like massage, music therapy and pet therapy, are often available. Talk to a Rainbow nurse 24/7. Care in your home, hospital or nursing facility.
Music, massage, and other therapies are available. Award-winning, home-like inpatient unit includes accommodations for family.
34 years of caring for patients, families and caregivers at all stages of illness. Let us show you why those who know choose Rainbow!
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care 1550 Bishop Court Mount Prospect, IL 60056
847-685-9900 www.RainbowHospice.org
Support for families through one-on-one and/or group counseling. Our doctors who work with patients, families and physicians. Dementia with Dignity Program supports and educates patients and families.