Hospice Care Definitions

HOSPICE Hospices provide individuals facing terminal illness with care at home or in a healthcare facility. The goal is to assist patients to live the last stage of their lives with dignity. The focus is on comfort rather than treatment.

Services Provided:

N-NURSE – Assesses patient’s physical needs, develops and coordinates the plan of care, ensures symptom control and management, provides patient/family teaching as needed

SW-SOCIAL WORKER – Assesses patient and family emotional and social needs, develops a plan of care, provides counseling, referrals and support to meet identified needs

CHAPLAIN – Assesses patient and family spiritual needs, develops a plan of care, provides counseling, assists with memorial preparations.

HOME HEALTH AIDE – Provides direct personal care to patient, emotional support to patient and family, reports identified needs to RN.

VOLUNTEER – Provides respite and needed non-medical services for patients and their families, offers support at time of death and during bereavement.

Levels of Care:

RO-ROUTINE CARE – Occurs when regularly scheduled visits are adequate in maintaining the individual’s symptom management. Care is provided at the individual’s private residence, a retirement community, an assisted living, or a skilled nursing facility.

RE-RESPITE CARE – Provided when the family needs time to rest or go out of town for a short time. Care may be provided in a long-term care facility depending on the condition of the individual. Hospice is responsible for financial arrangements with the Long-term care facility.

GIP – General In-Patient Care –Provided in a skilled nursing facility when the symptoms cannot be managed elsewhere. The skilled nursing facility must have 24-hour R.N. coverage as deemed by Medicare guidelines. General in-patient care is usually short in duration. This level of care is usually due to symptoms which are out of control and more intensive nursing services are required. If an individual is at a care facility, room and board are covered by hospice during this period.

CC-CONTINUOUS CARE – Provided to prevent the individual from going to the hospital when a crisis occurs. It also is given when more help is needed to assist the individual and family in coping with the crisis. This level of care is usually provided at the individual’s residence no matter where that may be. The criteria for continuous care may include: Severe pain or symptoms which are out of control, psychotic episodes, breakdown of caregiver, imminent death and family unable to cope. Continuous care is typically reserved for end of life or other crises that requires a constant presence by a nurse or care team.

24/7 ADMISSIONS – If a patient qualifies for hospice care, they should be admitted as early as the family requests. Many agencies admit patients to hospice,24/7, evenings weekends, and holidays.

AROMATHERAPY – Uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering one’s mood, cognitive, psychological or physical well-being. This is not reimbursed by Medicare.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS – Grief

is the normal and universal reaction humans have to the loss of those they love. When your loved one passes, you may go through a period of bereavement and experience grief. Many provide Grief Groups that meet and address issues of grief in a supportive group setting.

INDIGENT PATIENTS – Does the hospice accept non funded or indigent patients? This is usually on a case by case basis and at the determination of the hospice company. Many have a non-profit organization that can help support the care of non-covered patients.

IN-PATIENT CARE – These hospices offer full hospice services in their on-campus unit or building. The patient moves into the inpatient care facility to receive their hospice services rather than in the patients’ home setting.

LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY –

Used as a method for relaxation to alleviate stress, anxiety and pain with a light hands-on approach, as well as providing 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.

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 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.

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.

PALLIATIVE CARE – Specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness –whatever the prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a

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