What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care can be provided in the comfort of a senior's home or in a senior living community.  Hospice care begins when a doctor feels that a senior has six months or less to live.  This is usually after all medical procedures and options are expended, or if treatment has stalled or regressed.  Hospice is covered by Medicare, as long as some requirements and stipulations are met, and this will be discussed in further detail later.  Hospice care guarantees access to volunteers, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, and a registered nurse.  Hospice care aims to provide emotional support for family and friends, as well as make the patient as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

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How to Receive Hospice Care

People tend to avoid discussing matters of death, as it is an uncomfortable subject for many.  This is one of the reasons that many people do not know much about hospice care, or even how to start receiving help.  Below you can find some of the important steps to know about.

• The process will begin with a referral or request for hospice care from your primary physician.  This will happen when the doctor feels the senior has six months or less to live.
• A hospice program representative will meet with you after the referral to establish a plan within 48 hours, or as soon as possible, from the referral.  The hospice care provider will have to be certified by Medicare.
• If you live longer than 6 months, you can still receive hospice care.  It will have to be recertified that you are terminally ill by a hospice physician or your primary physician.
• Seniors receive two 90 day plans, followed by renewals of 60 days.
• You may switch hospice providers between plans if you want.
• You may end hospice care anytime you want.
• Hospice care is available on call 24/7.  This usually includes nurses, chaplains, and socially workers.
• To receive more information on hospice care plans, look up or call your national or state hospice origination.  You should also be able to find information from your Medicare provider.

Services Provided by Hospice Care

Hospice care at home is more concerned with care versus cure.  Most of the services are designed to allow the senior to die pain-free and with dignity.  Surrounded by their family and friends in a place they are comfortable.

• Emotional and spiritual support
• Pain management also known as palliative care
• Help with errands, homemaking, cooking, and other menial tasks
• Medical care
• Help the senior move around the house, use the bathroom, bath, etc.
• Support for family
• Help the grieving process for the family

Cost of Hospice Care

The cost for hospice care at home should be covered by Medicare.  If the senior’s doctor prescribes hospice care and they go through a Medicare certified program, all the senior should have to pay is the deductible on their Medicare plan.   [Anchor]