The Power of Hope Through Hospice

The end of a person’s life is a significant period of time when they are able to reflect on their life and accomplishments, work through their regrets and challenges, and spend their remaining days with friends and family in comfort and peace. For families whose loved one is experiencing a serious illness or life-limiting condition, this precious time is one of life’s most meaningful milestones.

As a provider of end-of-life care, hope for Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care does not necessarily lie in recovery; rather, it lies in ensuring the best quality of life for the people in our care. As our mission states, we provide expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance, and hope to people who are affected by serious illness or by grief. Hospice gives families the peace of mind to walk together with their loved ones through the end-of-life journey, and through the grief and healing process.

We easily associate hope with a beginning: the birth of a new baby, the start of adulthood at high school graduation, or the pursuit of a new career. Hospice providers understand that hope is found throughout life. All families have hope that the end of their loved one’s life will be beautiful and memorable. Honoring that hope affirms that their life matters, and allows the impact someone made to carry on after their death. Hospice honors the value of life

The Power of Hope Through Hospice by ensuring physical and emotional comfort and creating space for patients and their families to spend time together in peace. Kansas City Hospice also understands the importance of supporting families through the grief and healing process, which often begins before death and extends far beyond the loss of a loved one. This is why we also provide access to community grief support at no charge through our Solace House Center for Grief and Healing. Hope doesn’t just represent what the future can hold – a cure, more time, major accomplishments – hope can be lived in the moment. It can simply be the ability to enjoy today and share moments of joy with those around you, unencumbered by the hardships of the past or the challenges of the future. It is through hospice that families are given the gift to walk together through one of life’s most significant milestones – the end of life. ~ Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, who may be reached at KCHospice.org or 816.363.2600. See ad on page 121.

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determination of the hospice company. Many have a non-profit organization that can help support the care of non-covered patients. Many Hospice agencies utilize Social Workers to help find resources for indigent families. LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY – Massage has become one of the fastest growing trends in therapy for hospice patients. Used as a method for relaxation to alleviate stress, anxiety and pain with a light handson approach, as well as providing

HOSPICE CARE

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an alternative to those who can’t take medication or prefer not to, massage therapy has become essential in hospice care. This is not reimbursed by Medicare; it is an added benefit that select hospice companies have decided to provide for their patients.

MUSIC THERAPY – Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals” A music therapist is not just a music performer, but actually trained in counseling and music. A music therapist creates goals and objectives for their patients and uses music activities and music experiences (listening, composition, improvisation, or playing/singing a familiar song) in order to achieve those goals. This is not reimbursed by Medicare; it is an added benefit that select hospice companies have decided to provide this to their patients.

PAIN PUMPS AVAILABLE – Many patients have their symptoms controlled through oral medications. 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 terminally 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. ~