CUIDADO DE HOSPICIO
"El hospicio importa. El final de la vida merece tanta belleza, cuidado y respeto como el comienzo".
En estos preciosos momentos de la vida, su enfoque como miembro de la familia o paciente diagnosticado con una enfermedad terminal no debe centrarse en la planificación anticipada de la atención y el manejo de la comodidad. Los servicios ofrecidos en cuidados paliativos abordan las necesidades fÃsicas, emocionales, espirituales y sociales del paciente; proporcionando un plan de atención completamente integral que permite a los pacientes y a los miembros de la familia la capacidad de concentrarse en celebrar la vida.
Donde ocurre el cuidado
La atención se brinda a menudo en el hogar del paciente, donde se asignan visitas programadas a un equipo de atención capacitado en coordinación con el paciente y los miembros de la familia. En algunos casos, la atención se puede brindar en el hospital, hogar de ancianos o centro de vida asistida.
Que esperar
El hospicio utiliza un enfoque de equipo coordinado. Dirigido por médicos y enfermeras con capacitación especial, el personal recibe capacitación especializada en cuidados paliativos. El personal de la oficina está disponible las 24 horas del dÃa, los 7 dÃas de la semana para ofrecer asistencia en los cambios de condición, educación de los miembros de la familia para brindar atención y ofrecer apoyo inmediato en estos tiempos difÃciles
Pagando por el Servicio
El hospicio es un programa de Medicare financiado con fondos federales. Como tal, muchos planes estatales de Medicaid y planes de seguro médico privados pagan por cuidados paliativos.
Al elegir el beneficio de hospicio de Medicare, el paciente acepta renunciar a los tratamientos y procedimientos curativos, a cambio de todos los servicios y suministros que proporciona el hospicio:
servicios de salud, servicios sociales / psicológicos, servicios espirituales, personal médico de guardia y entrega de suministros.
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Is Hospice Care Appropriate at this Time?
Hospice is appropriate if you have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness by your physician, and they have determined that you are likely in the "last stages of life" (this is often measured in weeks or months rather than in years).
Additionally, you are no longer seeking care or treatments aimed at potentially curing your illness (often--but not always--because all options have already been exhausted). Instead, your goal is to manage the pain and other symptoms and receive support for yourself, your family, and your caregivers.
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Where the Care Happens
Care is provided in the comfort of your own home. A skilled care team is assigned scheduled visits that work with your schedule and preferences.
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Family, Friends, and Hired CaregiversAs mentioned above, these people are providing your day-to-day care. Often, a person's spouse or adult child has stepped into the role of primary caregiver. Regardless of who has stepped into this trusted role, the primary caregiver communicates often with the other members of this hospice care team (usually your nurses and our office staff).
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DoctorsYour Hospice Doctor is responsible for your medical care; this will involve: the ordering of your medications and any medical equipment, and arranging hospitalization if necessary.
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Skilled NursesYour Hospice nurse is your main point of contact. As such, they are responsible for coordinating your care and advocating for your needs (changes in medication, equipment, services, etc.) and answering any questions you have about your medical care. Your nurse will also teach your caregivers how to care for symptoms you are experiencing). *note that your nurse does not provide hands-on, day-to-day caregiving. Your nurse will come for short visits once a week (unless a higher frequency is required)
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Medical Social WorkersOur medical social workers are trained to offer you and your family emotional and social support. During their visits they are able to help with directing you towards any resources that might benefit you. Additionally, they can help to complete paperwork, memorial or funeral service planning or referrals to bereavement support.
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Home Health AidesHospice Aides assist with personal care, hygiene and certain household tasks to maintain a safe and sanitary home environment. The visits are for a few hours a week, with tasks including: bathing, bed transfers, help with dressing, light housework, and additional support for family members.
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Spiritual CounselorsOur spiritual counselors provide cross-denominational spiritual guidance and emotional support for people of all faiths and backgrounds. These visits can be requested at any time.
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Bereavement CounselorsBereavement Support is available for a full year following the death of a loved one. Bereavement counselors might be a social worker, a bereavement coordinator and/or chaplain, and they offer: individual support, telephone follow-ups, grief counseling, and community resources for support groups.
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Additional Team MembersOur office staff is available 24/7 to offer assistance in changes of condition, education of family members in providing care, and offer immediate support in these challenging times. Other team members may include: Rehabilitative therapists (Physical, Occupational, and Speech), Nutritionists (to support with dietary concerns or needs), and Pharmacists (helping our staff with all medication related needs)
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VolunteersOur trained Hospice volunteers are available to you and your family whenever you'd like. Our volunteers are able to visit (companionship--converse or to read to you), provide company, run short errands or provide a short break for your caregiver.
What to Expect from Hospice
During your final months, weeks, and days of life, it is your family, friends, or hired caregivers that will be taking care of you. Our role as your Care Team will be to provide support for you and each of these people.
Hospice utilizes a coordinated team approach. Led by doctors and nurses, our staff undergoes specialized training in hospice care and meets regularly to review, evaluate and direct individualized care plans. With your trust and comfort in mind, we work together to ensure that your medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs are taken care of.
Your Care Team
Paying for the Service
Hospice is a Medicare, federally-funded, program. As such, many state Medicaid plans and private health insurance plans pay for hospice.
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In choosing the Medicare hospice benefit, the patient agrees to give up curative treatments and procedures, in return for all the services and supplies that hospice provides:
health-care services, social/psychological services, spiritual services, medical staff on-call, and delivery of supplies.
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