Hospice Defi nitions

Hospice Care Defi nitions

**SERVICES: RN / SSW / C=Chaplain / V=Volunteers ***LEVELS OF CARE: RO=Routine / RE=Respite / GIP=General In-Patient Care / CC=Continuous Care ****Therapies: A=Aroma / MA=Massage Therapy / MU=Music Therapy / P=Pet Therapy

HOSPICE Hospices provide individuals facing a terminal illness with care in a private residence or in a healthcare facility. The goal is to provide quality of life and to assist patients to live the last stages of their lives with dignity. The focus is on comfort rather than curative treatment of the terminal illness.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

RN-REGISTERED NURSE – Assesses patient’s physical needs, develops and coordinates the plan of care, ensures symptom control and management, provides patient/family education as needed SW-SOCIAL WORKER – Assesses patient and family emotional and social needs, develops a plan of care, and provides counseling and support to meet identifi ed needs, and makes referrals to other providers based on family and patient’s needs CHAPLAIN – Assesses patient and family spiritual needs, develops a plan of care, provides counseling, assists with memorial preparations. VOLUNTEERS – Provides companionship and needed non-medical services for patients and their families, off ers support at time of death and during bereavement.

LEVELS OF CARE:

RO-ROUTINE CARE – Occurs when regularly scheduled visits are adequate in managing the individual’s disease symptoms. Care is provided at the individual’s private residence or in a healthcare 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 skilled nursing facility. Hospice is responsible for fi nancial arrangements with the 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 higher level of care is due to symptoms which are out of control and more intensive nursing services are required. The 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 to the

patient at their private residence or in a personal care home or assisted living facility. 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 crises that require a constant presence by a nurse or care team.

THERAPY SERVICES PROVIDED:

A-AROMA THERAPY – 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. MA-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. MU-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. P-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. 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.

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.

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 hospice companies provide Grief Groups that meet and address issues of grief in a supportive group setting.

HOME HEALTH – Indicates whether the hospice agency has a sister home health agency that will provide assistance with medically based home health needs such as nursing services, home health aide services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy or speech therapy.

Hospice Care Defi nitions cont’d

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-profi t organization that can help support the care of non-covered 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.

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 serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

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