The purpose of hospice care is to help people who are terminally ill to be as comfortable as possible by ensuring that not only their physical needs are met but also their social, emotional, and spiritual needs are met as well. Below are some hospice policies and how they might affect your family.
- Hospice care is intended to help individuals who have 6 months or less to live.
- A person can continue to qualify for hospice even after 6 months as long as their doctor confirms that they are still terminally ill.
- A person can receive Hospice care while they are at home or while they’re in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
- Licensed Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly including Board & Cares and Assisted Living Communities are also allowed to have residents receiving Hospice care as long as certain requirements are met. These requirements will be reviewed in part 3 of this series.
It is important to understand that accepting hospice care does not mean giving up on life.
“When faced with a terminal illness, many patients and family members tend to dwell on the imminent loss of life rather than on making the most of the life that remains…Hospice helps patients reclaim the spirit of life. It helps them understand that even though death can lead to sadness, anger, and pain, it can also lead to opportunities for reminiscence, laughter, reunion, and hope.”
HospiceDirectory.org
For more information on hospice Myths and Realities, visit the following link: http://www.hospicedirectory.org/cm/about/choosing/myths_facts
The first article in this series explained a brief History of Hospice. The final article in this series will discuss hospice care within a licensed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly.
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