Hospice Care Definitions continued

tions. Some situations require a pain pump where medications are administered through an IV pump. If this is the situation, inquire with the hospice RN case manager to see if pain pumps are available through their agency.

PCP-Oversight – Can the hospice patient retain their own primary care physician in addition to the hospice medical director? All hospice organizations require a medical director, a physician to oversee their care. Many times the hospice medical director will work in conjunction with the patient’s own physician. The patient, family and hospice team can determine which physicians will oversee the care and certify the hospice eligibility criteria.

Pet Therapy – There’s nothing like a visit from a four-legged creature to brighten the day of a terminal- ly ill patient. Pet therapy teams visit with patients wherever they reside – at home or in professional care settings. For some patients, contact with these gentle animals evokes memories of pets in their lives, past or present. Studies have shown many benefits of pet companionship, ranging from reduced blood pressure and anxiety to relief from boredom, pain and loneliness. This service is not reimbursed by Medicare, it is an added benefit that select hospice companies have decided to provide for their patients.

VA Contract – If the patient is not a Medicare Recipient and is covered by the VA, the VA will make payments directly to their contracted agencies. If a patient is a Veteran, but is a Medicare Recipient, they may choose any Medicare approved hospice agency for their care. ~

What Is An End-of-Life Doula? continued from page 133

n Assisting with obituaries and planning funeral and/or ceremonial services.

n Guidance for loved ones during the initial stages of grieving.

Conversations about end-of-life desires and legacies can be difficult to discuss with family members. An EOL doula can be present and listen to the needs of the person who is dying and the needs of those around them who are grieving.

For more information about EOL Doula in Idaho visit us at www.eoldoulasid.org ~

Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Karen Midlo, Life Transitions Doula & Care Manager. Karen can be reached at 208-261-1906 info@eoldoulaid.org