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. Saint Barnabas 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:
The Hospice Foundation
of America
Hospice Net
The National Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization
Hospice Web
Hospice Hands
American Hospice Foundation
Children's Hospice International
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