Frequently
Asked Questions :
Hospice is devoted to caring for terminally ill individuals
whose life expectancy has been measured in months rather
than years. Hospice care is appropriate when a cure is no
longer a realistic expectation. Under hospice care, the desired
goals are to maximize patient comfort and improve the quality
of life.
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The patient's primary care physician remains in charge of
the patient’s medical care. He or she consults with
the hospice team about any medical course of action.
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The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice
care at any time with their physician, other health care
professionals, clergy or friends. Anyone can call our office
for information regarding hospice care: (973) 322-4800 or
(732) 818-6872 (Ocean County.)
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Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician wants
more information he or she can call any of our intake departments.
Additional information can be obtained from the National
Council of Hospice Professionals Physician Section, medical
societies, state hospice organizations, or the National Hospice
Helpline.
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When curative treatment is no longer an option, hospice care
is the fitting choice to complement ongoing medical care.
Since hospice focuses on comfort and support, the decision
to enter the hospice program is best made early enough to
benefit from all services. The six month prognosis is approximate
and patients are re-evaluated periodically by the hospice
team. Sometimes, patients remain on hospice care beyond six
months.
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One of the first things the hospice program will do is contact
the patient's physician to make sure he or she agrees with
hospice care. The patient will then be approached by hospice
team members who will explain what hospice can and cannot
do. The patient or caregiver signs a consent form and other
documents. These are similar to the forms patients sign when
they enter a hospital.
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Medicare, most Medicaid programs and many commercial insurers
pay for Hospice Care.
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The hospice nurse makes regularly scheduled visits based
on the patient's needs. Our on-call nurses are available
24-hours a day for crisis situations. The social worker,
chaplain and volunteer visit regularly. Home health aides
visit for personal care.
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Hospice patients are cared for by a team of physicians, nurses,
social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and home health aides.
Each provides assistance based on his or her own area of
expertise. In addition, hospice provides medications, supplies,
equipment, and services, related to the terminal illness.
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No. Although many hospice patients are cared for in a personal
residence, some patients live in nursing homes, assisted
living facilities or dedicated hospice units.
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Certainly. If the patient's condition improves patients can
be discharged from hospice. If the discharged patient later
requires hospice care, Medicare and most Medicaid and private
insurance companies will approve coverage for additional
hospice care.
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Hospice neither hastens nor postpones dying. Just as doctors
and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of
child birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized
knowledge during the dying process.
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No. While some churches and religious groups have started
hospices these programs serve a broad community and do not
require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.
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In addition to insurance reimbursement, hospice depends on
community financial support, including gifts from individuals,
corporate and foundation grants, memorial gifts, bequests
and fund-raising events.
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Hospice provides support for caregivers for 13 months following
the death of a loved one. Barnabas
Health Hospice and Palliative
Center or Van Dyke Hospice also sponsors bereavement groups
for anyone in the community who has experienced a loss.
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Become a hospice volunteer, join the Friends of Hospice,
support fund-raising events, give memorial gifts, tell others
about hospice care or call our Speaker's Bureau to address
your community group.
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For more information about Hospice, we suggest the following
web sites:
American
Hospice Foundation
Children's
Hospice International
Hospice
Net
Hospice
Web
Hospice
Hands
Office of Cancer Control and Prevention
The Hospice Foundation of America
The
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
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