Understanding Hospice Care
Some people become frightened when they hear the word “hospice” and believe accepting hospice care means giving up hope. Hospice services can be a tremendous source of help and comfort, and are focused on living life to its fullest.
What is hospice?
Hospice care is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate, care for people facing a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the person’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the person’s loved ones as well.
The focus of hospice relies on the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing.
All Oklahoma hospice providers are licensed.
How does hospice work?
Anyone can inquire about hospice services. Unless restricted by the insurance provider, selection of the hospice service provider is a personal choice. A referral to the hospice provider from the patient’s doctor is required to begin care.
Once the referral is received, hospice staff will visit the patient to assess the overall needs and wishes, and set up an interdisciplinary care team that includes the patient and the primary caregiver. The care team works together to create a plan of care specifically to meet the needs and desires of the individual patient and the family.
The hospice team includes physicians; nurses; hospice aides; social workers; chaplains; speech, physical, and occupational therapists when needed; and trained volunteers. Among its major responsibilities, the interdisciplinary hospice team:
- Manages the person’s pain and symptoms;
- Provides emotional support;
- Provides needed medications, medical supplies, and equipment to manage the life-limiting illness;
- Coaches loved ones on how to care for the person;
- Delivers special services like speech, occupational, and physical therapy when needed;
- Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time; and
- Provides grief support to surviving loved ones and friends.
Where are hospice services provided?
Hospice services are most often provided in the comfort of wherever the patient calls home. This can be at his own home, long term care or assisted living facility, a family member’s home, hospital, or special end-of-life care facility.
How is hospice paid for?
Medicare (Part A), Medicaid, the Veterans Administration and most private health insurance plans cover costs related to hospice care. Private pay is an option. In Oklahoma, however, Medicaid does not have a funded hospice benefit.
How do I locate a hospice program?
To locate a hospice provider, consult your physician, refer to the Hospice section, or ask friends and family if they have experience with a quality hospice. You can also contact the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at (800) 658-8898 toll-free or www.nhpco.org or the Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association at (866) 459-4152 or the Web site www.okhospice.org.
