Post by Your Home Companion on Feb 18, 2015 21:14:23 GMT
Qualifying for Hospice
Yesterday a woman (who shall remain nameless) asked me about how her father would qualify for Hospice and if he would have to move out of his house. I thought this would be a good topic to discuss here on the forum board. This is what we discussed.
There are two criteria that must be met for someone to be accepted into hospice:
- A patient must be terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less. This has to be certified by the patient's physician and by hospice.
- Both the patient and/or the family must understand the prognosis and waive any curative measures. In other words, only comfort care or palliative measures will be used.
Hospice services can be provided just about anywhere to include the patient's home, family member's home, assisted living facility, hospital, skilled nursing or long term care facility. I would say that most patient's or at least our clients prefer to receive services in their home.
Patients keep their own physician. A patient's physician and the hospice team all work together to put together a plan of care. A hospice team includes:
- Hospice Nurses
- Hospice Medical Director
- Social Worker
- Grief Counselors
- Home Health Aides
- Chaplain
- As well as Volunteers
Hospice isn't just there for the patient, but also for the patient's family and/or caregivers. They provide support and help, as well as, answer any questions you may have. They will let you know what you should expect or not expect and are extremely compassionate.
Just because someone is in hospice doesn't necessarily mean that the patient is going to die. We had a client who was in hospice and all the staff thought for sure that he wasn't going to make it. He eventually no longer needed hospice services and hired us to come in and help out with his daily routines for four years, before he became ill again and returned to hospice for care.
There aren't any time restraints or limits for a patient in hospice. Medicare and private insurance will pay for hospice care for as long as the patient needs it. I will do a separate blog on Medicare benefits and out of pocket costs this week.
While no one wants to see their loved one in hospice, they are a blessing and a help to the patient and their family.