Hospice does more than end of life services

When most people hear that someone is utilizing Hospice services, they probably assume that the individual is going to die soon. This is because when Hospice services first became available they had a specific mission. Once doctors indicated that based on medical science, a patient was going to die within 6 months or less this end of life support system was recommended. There are those who do pass away within those six months and others who live much longer. My mother died 5 weeks after being placed in Hospice but my father's cancer disappeared and he lived an entire, dying of a heart attack.

Making a patient comfortable and assisting the family through the transition is basically what this type of care used to be all about, but there is more understanding needed so families can make informed decisions.It is unfortunate that when people here that Hospice has been called in they begin telling everyone that the sick individual is going to die. This is why I am sharing the information I recently found out about what is thought of as an end of life service. Hospice does require a doctor to give an official terminal disease before they take on a client. This does not, however, necessarily indicate that the patient is indeed terminal.

Hospice is concerned with the comfort of the person who is being cared for and they will pay for all medications that are comfort related. This can be antibiotics, wound care supplies, prescription pain meds such as oxycodone or morphine, and medication for heart related issues or acid reflux. If the individual has a combination of illnesses that based on medical science could and eventually might take his or her life there are some meds that may not be covered. Any prescription that is considered as preventative medicine such as for blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood thinners will not be covered.

Feeding tubes and the food that goes inside them are paid for by Hospice services because this is considered as keeping the individual comfortable. Should a time come when the patient begins to decline then staff will talk to the family at that time about discontinuing the feeding and allowing nature to take its course. There is no pressure and each family has the right to make their own decisions.

it is important to obtain all necessary information about your loved one's illness and prognosis so that there is no miscommunication. I know a family where Hospice was promoted as better suited for their loved one than traditional home health. They were told that placing the person in Hospice did not mean they were going to pass away soon. Nurses and a social worker, however, asked about a funeral home and arrangements. They also mentioned the term "terminal" which had never come up while the client was hospitalized.

This caused anger, confusion, and despair because of the miscommunication. The hospital personnel had not explained two key issues that would have prevented the misinformation. The first is as mentioned earlier that Hospice only takes clients who are deemed terminally ill. The doctor had listed respiratory failure as the disease that would lead to death but the family did not know this. It was explained that the combination of issues going on in this person's body along with the fact that he was on a tracheotomy tube were together enough to consider the man terminal.

The flip side is that there is the possibility that he might live for years, but no one can call an expiration date. The combined health issues along with a need for oxygen and a tracheotomy tube gave a grim picture that qualified the man for Hospice. In 6 months if this person recuperates he can be discharged. I hope this information has been helpful and not confusing to anyone. Again, work closely with medical personnel and obtain a clear understanding in your personal situation to find out if your loved one may qualify for Hospice or if you desire their services.Hospice in my opinion is geared towards the end of life but that does not mean that every patient's life will end while using Hospice services.