Private hospice agencies offer patient-centered care.
Hospice care offers a wide range of support services to terminally ill patients. An interdisciplinary service that operates in home, hospital or nursing facilities, hospice focuses on providing palliative, rather than curative, care for those with six months or less to live. Although qualified individuals can obtain hospice support through government programs and non-profit or charitable organizations, private, certified hospice agencies offer affordable, flexible and patient-centered care in large and small communities throughout the United States.
Certification and Licensing
Reputable private hospice services should be accredited, certified and bonded. Accreditation by such organizations as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations indicates that the hospice service dedicates itself to high standards of patient care. If the service is Medicare-certified, this means it meets Medicare's minimum guidelines for patient care. Bonded agencies offer the equivalent of insurance protection in case of legal issues. Licensing for hospice agencies varies by state.
Holistic Care
Quality hospice care, provided by licensed private services, takes a holistic approach to meeting patient needs. Hospice care managers create a team of providers from a variety of fields, including spiritual, social and home nursing services, and medical services as needed, according to a care plan developed by the patient and providers. Hospice staff work with families, community services and healthcare providers to provide comfort and care in all dimensions of a patient's life.
Patient Centered Care
Hospice offers a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care services. Case plans prepared in consultation with the patient and family members are flexible enough to accommodate changes in the patient's circumstances, such as a return to the hospital, or even a break from hospice due to improved health. Services can be provided almost anywhere, from home to hospital, and can vary depending on patients' needs and wishes.
Volunteer Support Services
From its earliest days, the hospice movement has relied on volunteers in all areas of service. Today, volunteers continue to support paid hospice staff in a variety of ways, from handling light housework in a patient's home to providing respite services for family caregivers. This extensive use of volunteer services fills gaps in the hospice team and helps to keep costs lower than for hospital care. Volunteers provide not only practical assistance, but also compassionate companionship and support.
Affordable, Flexible Care
Licensed and accredited hospice agencies can work with Medicare and other insurance plans to cover care. Since hospice care is not hospital-based and often is provided in the home, costs for services and equipment remain lower than for inpatient hospital care. And, since volunteers play a key role in providing hospice services, agency costs tend to be lower.
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