 |
 |
| Home | About | Branches | Services | Resources | Career | Referral | Hospice |
| Opportunities | Sources |
|
|
| Home | About | Branches | Services | Resources | Career | Referral | Hospice |
| Opportunities | Sources |
| The most responsive, ethical provider of quality Hospice care in Northwest Montana Our Mission is to provide the
highest quality of compassionate palliative care promoting research and
education in order to perpetuate and improve this alternative choice of
treatment. We focus on providing holistic palliative care to
patients with progressive, life limiting prognosis of six months or
less. We consider our approach as specialized drawing from a high
level of expertise and tenure in all disciplines as well as being a
cost effective approach to medical care. We envision ourselves as
a growing organization expanding our services (geographically and
in all levels of care) thereby achieving viability, independence and
reputation as one of the best in the Hospice movement.
|
|
Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide sensitivity and support for people in the final phase of their illness. Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining quality of life. Hospice care seeks to enable patients to carry on an alert and pain-free life. When pain is managed, and other symptoms alleviated, the person on hospice services has time to enjoy life with family and friends. Hospice strives to consider the entire family, not just the patient as the "unit of care". Patients and families are included in the decision making process. Hospice offers help and support to the patient and family 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. For hospice patients and their families, help is just a phone call away. Patients routinely receive periodic in-home services of a nurse, home-health aide, social worker, volunteer, and other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.
|
|
Many people may play a very important role in helping families connect to Hospice services. Often a physician writes orders sending the patient home recommending hospice. However, a hospice referral may come from ministers, neighbors, family, the patient or staff at medical facilities. The following list are some of the indicators that would trigger a hospice evaluation:
|
|
To receive Hospice care, the patient must:
|
|
Hospice care is provided through bi-weekly visits from nurses and certified nurse's aides. Social Workers visit on admission and as needed. Hospice nurses are always available by phone. Services provided are based upon an approved Plan of Care involving the physician, the hospice team, the patient, and the caregivers. Services Include:
Cost of Services |
| Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice... 1. When should a decision about hospice treatment be made — and who should make it? At any time during a life limiting illness, it is appropriate to talk about options, including hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping the effort to beat the disease. Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns. Skilled nurses and Social workers are available to discuss the issue with the patient and family. 2. Should the patient wait for the physician to bring the hospice option up, or can the patient ask about it first? The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice are at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends. 3. What if the physician doesn’t know about hospice? If your physician wants more information about hospice, it is available from the Academy of Hospice Physicians, medical societies, state hospice organizations, or the National Hospice Helpline, 1-800-658-8898. 4. Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be discharged from hospice? Yes. If the patients condition improves discharge from hospice is possible. Often hospice patients do improve simply from adequate pain management 5. What does a hospice admission process involve? One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patients physician to make sure they agrees that hospice care is appropriate. (Hospices have medical staff available to help patients who have no physicians.) The patient will also be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital. The so-called hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is, aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the services available. The form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage for a terminal illness. 6. Is there any special equipment I have to obtain before hospice care begins? Hospice will assess your needs, recommend equipment, and help make suggestions for comfortable delivery of care. 7. How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home? There is no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is to prepare an individualized care plan that will help to determine the amount of care givers needed in your situation. 8. Must someone be with the patient at all times? In the beginning it is not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. Family and friends often draw comfort from being closer in attendance as the loved one approaches death. 9. How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home? The experience of caring for a loved one at end of life is unique to each family. Some families find it rewarding while others are challenged by many issues. Hospice has staff available around the clock to assist each family with their particular circumstance. 10. What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients? Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aides, clergy (if desired), and volunteers — and each provides assistance based on their area of expertise. In addition, hospice helps provide medication, supplies, and equipment as needed. 11. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner? Hospice does not speed or slow the dying process. Hospice provides a special presence and specific care during the dying process. 12. How does hospice manage pain? Hospice believes that emotional pain, spiritual pain, and physical pain, all contribute to a patients discomfort. Hospice addresses each of the spheres to achieve pain control. Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain management. 13. What success rate does hospice have in achieving pain control? Very high. Using a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can be kept comfortable and independent. 14. Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what’s happening? It is the goal of hospice to help the patient to be pain free but alert. By constantly consulting with the patient and working with the MD , hospice is successful in reaching this goal. 15. Is hospice affiliated with any religious organizations? Hospice serves the whole community and does not require patients to adhere to any religious beliefs. 16. Is hospice care covered by insurance? Hospice coverage is available through Medicare nation wide. Medicaid provides coverage in over 30 states, and by most private health insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should check with their employer or health insurance provider. 17. If the patient is eligible for Medicare, are there be any additional expenses? Medicare covers all services and supplies for the hospice patients. In some hospices, the patient may be required to pay a 5% or $5 co-payment on medication and respite care. Consult with the hospice in your area to answer your questions. 18. Does hospice provide any services to the family after the patient dies? Hospice provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for 13 months following the death of a loved one. Hospice also sponsors bereavement groups and support for anyone in the community who experiences grief and loss . |
| A Guide to Grief and Bereavement Grief is a normal response to loss. It can be painful at times and the pain can become unbearable. It is a combination of many emotions that come and go, sometimes without warning. Grieving is the period during which we actively experience these emotions. How long and how difficult the grieving period is depends on the relationship with the person who dies, the circumstances of the death, and the situation of the survivors. The length of time people grieve can be weeks, months, and even years. One thing is certain: grief does not follow a timeline, but it does ease over time. Experts describe the grieving process in the following steps: shock, denial, anger, guilt, depression, acceptance and growth. * Shock occurs if the death came suddenly, as in an accident or a murder. Physical symptoms such as confusion and loss of appetite are common. * Denial is nature’s way of softening the immediate blow of death. It can follow soon after the initial shock. People may not yet be ready to accept the reality of the death of their loved one. * Anger is a normal reaction in grieving. People of faith may feel anger at God or the anger may be directed at oneself for not saving the loved one’s life. It can test one’s faith in religion or even in the goodness of life. * Guilt is experienced by many survivors because they feel they should have done more. Sometimes they find reasons to feel guilty. * Sadness is a normal part of the grief process. People fee abandoned, alone and afraid. They may have little energy to do even the simplest daily chores. Crying episodes may seem endless. * Acceptance may give way to a new perspective about the future. Acceptance means the survivor can use the memories to create a new life without the loved one. * Growth occurs when a person seeks meaning in their loss and gets involved in causes or projects that help others. Signs that the grieving person is in distress might include weight loss, substance abuse, depression, prolonged sleep disorders, physical problems, talk about suicide, and lack of personal hygiene. Observing these signs may mean the grieving person needs professional help. Source: hospicenet.org "Compassionate Caring From Our Family To Yours" |
