What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is often misunderstood and thought to be a place where patients go to die. Hospice, however, is a philosophy of care provided to patients with life limiting illness and takes place in various settings. It may be in a patient's home, in a nursing home and at times in an inpatient unit or a hospital. Regardless of the setting, the hospice philosophy is always the same, to provide care to ensure the best quality of life.

Hospice care encompasses physical, spiritual and emotional support provided through interdisciplinary teams which include nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, therapists, volunteers, and physicians. The patient and their loved ones are an integral part in the plan of care and decision are based on their wishes. Each team member has a part in the patient's care.

The Hospice Medical Director works in conjunction with the patient's regular physician so that the patient receives the best care ensuring comfort and quality of life.

The Hospice RN Case Manager makes sure that everything is in place to carry out the care plan. This includes proper staff, equipment, supplies and medications. The hospice nurse is highly trained in making patient assessments and providing all necessary care to ensure proper pain and symptom management and that the patient's needs are met

The Hospice Home Health Aide or CNA is there to provide for the basic needs of the patient. Bathing, changing, feeding, changing linens and reporting any significant changes in the patient's condition.

The Hospice Social Worker evaluates the needs of the patient and their family upon admission. They specialize in helping the patient and family come to terms with terminal illness and to advocate for the patient's needs and rights. They may also act as a grief and/or bereavement counselor to the patient and their family.

The Hospice Chaplain can help the patient and their loved ones work through many of the whys of life and death. The chaplain is there to listen and offer spiritual support no matter the particular religious beliefs.

The Hospice Volunteer provides various services to the patient, the family and the hospice. Whether reading, letter writing or just being a friendly visitor to the patient; or sitting with the patient so the family can have a break; or serving the hospice by helping with duties in the office, the volunteer is a very important part of the team and is required by Medicare.

Q & A on Hospice Care

Is hospice care just for cancer patients?

Hospice care is not just for cancer patients. Hospice is available for any individual that has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and is no longer seeking curative treatment. life expectancy of six months or less is determined by a physician. This can include cancer as well as a non-cancer diagnosis. The top 5 non-cancer diagnosis are: end-stage heart disease, dementia, failure to thrive, lung disease, and end-stage kidney disease.

How much does hospice care cost?

Many patients qualify for hospice care under the Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit as well as private health insurance. Historically, no patient is ever refused hospice services.

Does my doctor decide what Hospice program I will use?

In order to receive hospice care, you must have a physician’s order that certifies your terminal diagnosis, but you have the right to choose the hospice you feel most comfortable with. Medi Hospice is one of your choices.

I am interested in volunteering. How do I learn more about hospice volunteering opportunities? What training do volunteers need?

If you have an interest in becoming a hospice volunteer

contact Medi Hospice to learn about the services and requirements of that program. Hospice volunteers provide a wide variety of service to patients, families, and to the organization. There is an application and interview process followed by an organized training program. Volunteers are trained to be knowledgeable about the many aspects of hospice care offered to patients and families.

(There is more information at the end of this article)

Does choosing hospice mean I’m giving up hope?

It may be more accurate to say that hospice is about redefining hope. You may hope to be pain-free, or to see an old friend one more time, or to stay at home rather than going to a hospital. Your Medi Hospice team can help you achieve those hopes and focus on making the most of the life that remains.

Does choosing hospice mean I’m going to die soon?

Hospice care is usually prescribed when your doctor believes your illness is terminal. But accepting Hospice care does not hasten your death. In fact, in many cases, people who accept hospice care earlier have a better chance that their condition will stabilize. If that becomes the case, you can come off hospice until you need it again.

Medi Hospice provides compassionate, professional, quality hospice care

in your home.

We serve Fredericksburg and surrounding counties.

Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, Westmoreland, Orange & King George

Volunteers are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care. They join Chaplains, Social Workers, RN's, LPN's CNA's and physicians in caring for patients.

They help our patients and families in a multitude of ways, including companionship, caregiver respite, light cooking and cleaning, patient support, and one on one life review. In addition, volunteers read or sing to patients. They sit at the bedside and quietly offer ‘personal presence’. During the volunteer’s visit, he or she is a friendly visitor with no particular agenda but to listen, care and support.

Some of the things a Medi Hospice volunteer might assist with include:

· Reading from a favorite book or the Bible.

· Watch over the patient while the primary caretaker takes a break or runs errands.

· Listen to stories and memories that are meaningful to the patient.

· Support for an overwhelmed caretaker by listening without judgment.

· Using a special talent such as music to bring joy to the heart of the patient and their families.

· Visit patients with certified animals to offer pet therapy.

Hospice volunteers are very unique individuals who have a deep sense of compassion for those who are terminally ill. They give selflessly to our patients. They hold a hand that is in need of gentle touch. They read a book that tired eyes cannot see. They sit at the bedside bringing a smile and a quiet presence to one who needs both. When there is soup to heat the volunteer prepares; when there is fresh air to breath the volunteer escorts the patient to the window or porch; when the day calls for a joke or poem the hospice volunteer complies.

They are flexible, punctual, reliable and intuitive.They give from their heart, willingly, openly, without restraint.

Medi Hospice VOLUNTEERS ARE WONDERFUL, GIVING PEOPLE!

WE APPRECIATE THEIR GRACIOUSNESS AND LOVE!!

Volunteering in hospice is a choice that creates rewards for patients and families. The ultimate surprise is the growth a volunteer develops from learning more about themselves with every visit to their patient. You learn to communicate in ways that increase your own appreciation of life. Your views of daily situations take on a holistic perspective. Nothing will ever be the same in your personal or professional life if you are correctly trained as a hospice volunteer.