(FAQs) About Hospice Services

It is a healthcare plan specially designed to provide support and comfort to patients and families when they no longer seek a cure for a terminal illness.

Hospice aims to provide a high-quality life to support patients and families going through terminal illnesses.

It is time to call hospice when the patient’s unstable condition ends up with frequent visits to the hospital’s emergency, no improvement with advanced medical treatments and prognosis from the physician of six months or less life expectancy.

Make a call to the referral center to set up the initial examination of the patient’s requirements.

A whole team of healthcare professionals includes the physician, medical director, nurse, nursing aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement specialists and volunteers. The case manager or the hospice physician is mostly the incharge of nursing

Hospice services can be given anywhere the patient wants or is needed accordingly to the patient’s condition. It can commonly be delivered at hospitals, nursing homes, patients’ residences or family members’ residences.

The type of care that differs according to patients’ and families’ needs is the level of care. Hospice care has four levels: routine home care, general inpatient care, continuous care and respite care.

Not at all. It means the hope is redefined by focusing on spending quality time together to reconnect with the loved ones and find peace and comfort rather than crying over the illness and its consequences.

It begins as soon as the medical condition deteriorates and the physician has given the verdict of hospice care due to life expectancy of 6 months or less.

Diagnosis is the identification of a disease from the signs and symptoms whereas, the Prognosis is the prediction of the possible outcome of the disease.

Yes, the following are the signs indicating the beginning of hospice care:

• Frequent hospitalizations
• Aggressive recurring infections
• Excessive weight loss, low appetite
• No benefit of treatments and medications
• The decline in overall health
• Unbearable pain, breathing problem, nausea and vomiting
• Decreased mental alertness and body response
• Unable to perform basic daily routine tasks
• Body weakness and frequent falls

1. Certification of a life-threatening illness from the physician and hospice medical director
2. The life expectancy of six months or less

Mostly hospice nurses or doctors visit once or twice a week but the frequency can be increased or decreased as per the patient’s need.

Yes, if you chose the hospice physician as your attending physician your Doctor may continue his services but exclusive of hospice diagnosis.

Yes. Its hospice’s job is to allow the patient and family to make changes according to their needs and wishes.

Hospice’s motive is to provide comfort and support according to the patient’s needs; hence, all special needs would be addressed and catered.

Hospice can easily provide special medical equipment that is required including nebulizers, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds etc.

The hospice team believes in forming a bridge between a patient and family. You will constantly be updated regarding your patient by the hospice team. The hospice nurse plays a crucial role in coordinating with the family and notifying every vital detail.

Hospice care provides you with additional benefits, unlike family healthcare. Hospice care focuses explicitly on terminally-ill patients, gives them medical care and provides emotional, psychological, spiritual, legal and financial support.

In a nursing home, she can only be provided with medical help but in a hospice service, she can receive the care she needs and wants, making her feel less anxious and depressed regarding her illness and aftermath.

Hospice care isn’t only confined to elderly patients and it deals with all types of age groups. This will help you spending quality time with your child rather than worrying about their medical care.

Yes, you will be the primary caregiver and you still have to take care of him. The 24/7 service is only provided to limited patients who desperately need constant care and have critical conditions.

The support and medical care given to a patient near the end of his life is called end-of-life care.

It is a care plan to focus on symptom relief, pain control and patient’s quality of life.

It is specialized medical care for people with serious diseases to reduce pain and suffering from severe infections or chronic illnesses. It can start at the time of the diagnosis and at the same time as the treatment.

It is a small-term relief to the primary caregivers to have a short break from their constant caring duties.

Yes, the preferences of patients and families are always fulfilled. Hospice tries its best to optimize care at every step.

If the patient’s health gets improved, the patient will be discharged from the hospice care; even the patient can quit themselves from the hospice care.

It is a legal document you sign in advance that mentions your medical preferences and decisions you want to be taken when you can no longer communicate for yourself.

Hospice will plan for the funeral and throughout, you will be provided with bereavement support to make you feel better and give you emotional support.

Yes, even after your loved one has passed, bereavement support is still valid for the loved ones for up to 13 months or even more if needed.