UNDERSTANDING HOSPICE CARE
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Levels of Hospice Care (see page 29 for more detailed information)
Routine Home Hospice Care: This is the most common level of care. It happens where the person lives, which can be a private home, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or wherever they call home. The Hospice Team regularly visits to check on the patient, and support the caregiver. Continuous Home Hospice Care: This is some- times called “Crisis Care.” If a patient has a sud- den medical problem—like severe pain or trouble breathing—a nurse may stay in the home for a longer period of time. The goal is to get the problem under control so the person can stay at home.
General Inpatient Hospice Care: If a medical crisis cannot be managed at home, the patient may be admitted to our Elizabeth House inpatient facility, typically for a short time. There, they receive 24- hour nursing care until they are stable enough to return home. Respite Care: This level is mainly to help the family or “caregivers” who are looking after the patient. The patient can stay at our Elizabeth House facil- ity or other contracted facility for up to five days (based on availability) to give the family a break so they can rest or handle other responsibilities.
Your Care Team
Once you are admitted to Four Seasons hospice care service, you are assigned a Four Seasons Care Team. Your Care Team meets, at a minimum, every fifteen days to up- date one another and collaborate regarding your care. Your Care Team typically con- sists of the following members and is flexible based on your needs and preferences for care. The services offered by your Four Seasons Care Team are based on your specific goals, your questions, and your concerns. Your Care Team respects your privacy, per- sonal choices, cultural and/or religious customs, family traditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care
Is Hospice a Place? Hospice is not a place, but rather a type of medical care designed to enhance life, and is typicall provid- ed in the patient’s home. We define “home” as wher- ever the patient resides which could be a private home, hospital, assisted living community, or skilled nursing facility. If a patient is served in a hospice fa- cility, like our Elizabeth House, it’s typically a shorter stay to adjust medications so that the patient can re- turn home where they are comfortable. Does involving Hospice Care mean we are giving up hope or that a person will die soon? On the contrary, as an illness progresses, most peo- ple hope for comfort, good pain and symptom con- trol, and quality of life, which are all things that Hos- pice Care provides. And studies show that involving Hospice earlier can help your loved one live better and for some even longer than anticipated. Does being in Hospice Care mean you can’t have other medical care? Hospice Care focuses on comfort rather than a cure, but it doesn’t prevent you from seeking care for oth- er illnesses or conditions. For example, if your loved one has glaucoma, they could still seek treatment for that with their medical provider. And your Hospice Care Team works closely with your primary care provider or specialists involved in your care.
If we start Hospice Care, can we stop it? You can choose to stop receiving care from a Hos- pice program, for any reason, without penalty. You may resume Hospice Care in the future when the time is right for you. My loved one worries that Hospice will adminis- ter medications to sedate them. Isn’t that what Hospice does? At Four Seasons, we work with you and your loved one to create a personalized care plan and determine the desired amount of medication to manage symptoms. Hospice Care does provide symptom relief, but many of our families say the emotional and spiritual support, were the biggest help in allowing them to live life more fully during their remaining time together. Don’t strong pain medications like Morphine make death come faster? Hospice providers are experts in managing symp- toms and will only prescribe the medications and doses necessary to alleviate pain or trouble breath- ing and helps improve quality of life. In fact, research suggests that good management of pain or short- ness of breath near the end of life may help a some people live a bit longer.
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Medical Provider A Four Seasons medical provider (physician, phy- sician assistant, or nurse practitioner) is available to consult with your existing medical provider, or can serve as your hospice medical provider if you choose. Your medical provider will focus on your overall comfort and daily functional needs. A medi- cal provider is available to consult with your team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. RN Care Manager (Nurse) Your nurse will regularly evaluate your physical symptoms and care needs. They can help you with concerns or questions about managing your pain, other symptoms, how to use your medications, and the stages of your illness. Your nurse will also coor- dinate the care of your entire Care Team and will frequently talk with your primary care provider. A nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hospice Aide As you or your caregivers need additional assistance to meet your personal care needs, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/hospice aide will become part of your Care Team. They will compassionately and respect- fully help you with bathing, grooming, dressing, toilet- ing, nutrition, and skin care needs in collaboration with your nurse. Social Worker Your social worker helps you identify your primary goals and concerns, strengthens your coping abili- ties in times of stress, and supports your family and relationships. They can provide useful information about planning your care, solving problems, com- munity and financial resources, and support for car- egivers/family. Your social worker can also arrange visits with Four Seasons Volunteers. A social worker is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
866.466.9734 • FourSeasonsCare.org
866.466.9734 • FourSeasonsCare.org
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