| |
|
TAKE THE |
What is Hospice?Informacion En EspanolWhat is Hospice care?Hospice care focuses on comfort for adults and children who have weeks or months rather than years to live. Hospice is for people with any serious illness, including heart and lung disease, cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. Care can be provided at home, nursing home, hospital, or the Hospice Center.How does Hospice get paid?Medicare and most health insurance companies cover some or all Hospice services. We will assist in clarifying coverage. No one ever is denied service because of inadequate insurance coverage or inability to pay for Hospice services. Click here to access information about the Hospice Medicare Benefit.What about nursing care?Registered nurses provide direct patient care and support to caregivers. They are highly trained and work closely with the patient’s physician to provide effective pain and symptom management. Hospice nurses are not private duty or "shift" nurses. They schedule their visits and maintain contact with the patient and the caregiver on a regular basis. In addition, nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to all questions and concerns.Who arranges for medications and medical supplies?Pharmacy items and in-house medical supplies are ordered by the physician and can be coordinated by Hospice staff.What about our present physician?Hospice is a team. Part of the team is your own physician who continues to manage all medical care.How are personal care and homemaker services provided?Whereas home health agencies utilize home health aides, Hospice of Lancaster County has licensed practical nurses to assist families and provide personal care under the direction of the Hospice RN case manager.What if care can no longer be managed at home?Hospice is primarily a home care program. We are, however, prepared for any necessary inpatient stay that may be required as a temporary back-up to home care. Inpatient care, as part of Hospice care, is arranged through the physician and the Hospice nurse. Care may be at the Hospice Center or at area hospitals, depending on the need.Sometimes we need more than professional staff - are there other resources?That would be a volunteer. A friendly smile, a listening ear, a helping hand...these are the trademarks of Hospice volunteers. After they complete an in-depth training program, they give of their time to help patients and their caregivers.This illness is affecting our entire family. How can Hospice help?Social workers are available to provide emotional support, counseling or assistance with community resources for families. Individual sessions or group meetings can often help in dealing with the stress of illness and increased care needs.What about spiritual needs?Our Hospice chaplains are sensitive to the spiritual needs of individuals facing life-limiting illness. The spiritual care staff are available to Hospice patients and their caregivers and work closely with their clergy or other spiritual support systems in the community.Does Hospice help families deal with loss?Yes. Grief after a loss is normal. Our grief and bereavement services, provided by the PATHways Center for Grief & Loss, are designed to help people cope with their loss. Services include personal visits and contacts, educational programs, a monthly newsletter and support group opportunities available to Hospice caregivers for over a year after the patient’s death. There are also specialized programs for children and teens.What if special services are needed?Should other special services become necessary, Hospice can coordinate them. These may include dietary counseling, physical therapy or respiratory therapy.To learn more about when it is time for Hospice, click here.For further information, please contact
|
Hospice of Lancaster County . 685 Good Drive . PO Box 4125 . Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 . 717-295-3900 | | | | © copyright 2005 Hospice of Lancaster County |
Hospice Care TV Spot