 | Paula Smith, M.A., is director of community relations for Hospice Care of Kansas. This is her sixth year with the company. Hospice Care of Kansas is committed to providing and promoting the highest quality care to those facing end-of-life issues. Hospice Care of Kansas has had an office in Parsons since 2004, Fort Scott since 2006, and recently opened its newest office in Pittsburg. Call 1-800-HOSPICE for more information, or visit our Facebook page. |
Hospice
2009-04-01 14:39:00
Selecting a good hospice
Answer: Providing hospice services can vary as much as hospitals, physicians and other professional services. From hospice to hospice, there are varying levels of expertise… different approaches to supporting patients and families… alternative philosophies of care. The choices can be bewildering for patients and families who are trying to find the hospice that is right for them. Medicare requires that every Medicare-eligible person has the right to choose their hospice.
Here are some questions every family or caregiver should consider as they learn more about hospice and how to obtain the kind of service and support their loved one deserves. Ask these questions of hospices you are considering:
•How do I obtain hospice services?
•How do I qualify?
•What services can I expect?
•Where are services provided? Home? Assisted living? Nursing home? Inpatient?
•Are supplies provided related to the terminal diagnosis?
•Can our personal physician continue to be involved in care management?
•How frequently are nursing visits made?
•How large is the hospice professional’s caseload – 8 patients? 30 patients?
•How are nights, weekends and holidays handled – answering machine or hospice nurses at the phones?
•Is there a pharmacist on staff to focus on pain and symptom management?
•Is there a wound care specialist should there be a need?
•What role will the family play in providing care? What if there is no family?
•How much choice do the patient and family have over care management?
•What if the patient needs to go to the hospital? Or needs additional treatments or medications?
•What bereavement support is available to the family after the death and for how long?
Getting answers to these questions will help you find the hospice that best meets the needs of your family and will enable your loved one to comfort, compassion and dignity at the end of life.
