What is hospice care?
Hospice is comfort-based care for patients with serious illness, who have 6 months or less to live according to a doctor. Hospice care focuses on comprehensive symptom management as well as pain control and promotion of comfort. Kline Galland’s hospice program focuses on emotional, social and spiritual care, and delivers care within your home, wherever you call home.
How does hospice work?
- Hospice is a choice. Patients can leave hospice care at any time for any reason. Patients can also come back to hospice at any time, as long as they meet hospice eligibility guidelines.
- Hospice provides medicines as needed to manage symptoms. Hospice doctors aim to give just enough medicine to manage symptoms and ease pain, including medicines that bring comfort and improve quality of life.
- Family or friends provide care with support from the hospice team. Family or friends are the primary caregivers, supported and trained by an expert team that makes regular, scheduled visits. For patients who live in assisted living communities and nursing homes, the hospice team works together with the facility staff.
- Hospice provides home medical equipment and supplies related to the cause of the illness. This includes shower chairs, oxygen tanks, hospital beds, toileting supplies, and more.
- Hospice supports the family. After a patient passes, hospice addresses emotional and spiritual pain suffered by loved ones for more than a year.
Who makes up the hospice team?
Kline Galland’s hospice care is coordinated by a highly trained interdisciplinary team:
- Physician who collaborates with the patient’s primary care physician to manage the care plan, control pain and symptoms.
- Case Manager who is a Registered Nurse and is skilled in assessing and managing pain, and other end-of-life symptoms.
- After Hours Registered Nurse for when you have questions, or there are changes in condition overnight that require urgent attention.
- LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) who often assist with patient home visits, providing care and aid to patients in the comfort of their homes.
- Home Health Aide who can help with bathing and dressing; personal care, including hair, skin, oral and nails.
- Social Worker who provides emotional and psychosocial support, along with identifing needs for additional resources.
- Chaplain who honors and nurtures a patient’s spiritual needs.
- Massage Therapist who can ease discomfort, provide relief, and offer a compassionate connection.
- Community Volunteers who offer support and companionship to patients, as well as their families and caregivers.
- Hospice Bereavement Coordinator who works with families and helps loved ones work through the grief they feel about their loved one’s diagnoses or passing.
Where can I receive hospice care?
Hospice can happen anywhere. Hospice is a service that comes to the patient. Whether you are at home, in an Independent or Assisted Living facility, Skilled Nursing Facility, or Adult Family Home, our hospice staff comes to you.
Is hospice care right for me?
- Seeing increased hospitalizations or trips to the ER
- Desire to limit invasive treatments or wanting to forgo treatment options
- Decreased appetite and experiencing weight loss
- Frequent infections
- Requiring major assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Seeing decline in ambulatory ability
- Changes in behavior or sleep patterns
- Incontinence
- Decision to focus on quality of life rather than aggressive treatments
Who can inquire about hospice services?
Anyone can inquire about hospice services. You, your loved one or your physician may request an evaluation to see if hospice care is appropriate.
How do I pay for hospice services?
Hospice Care is covered by Medicare. Medicare Part A covers up to 100% of the cost of hospice care related to a hospice-eligible patient’s illness with no deductible or copayment. Private or employer-provided health coverage can vary. Medicaid provides hospice coverage, but it varies by state.
Do you offer bereavement services?
Yes. To learn more about Kline Galland’s bereavement services, please visit our bereavement homepage.
