Choosing Hospice Care That Is Right For You

Choosing hospice care for your loved one is often an emotionally charged experience, so it is important to find a hospice company that provides a comfortable fit with your family. The philosophy of hospice care is rooted in the patient’s right to accept death as the final stage of their life and their family’s support of that choice. Palliative care can provide emotional and spiritual support, in addition to medical care. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice’s hospice care teams provide comfort care to allow patients to pass in a dignified, painless way, surrounded by loved ones in their home.

It is important to ask questions and get answers before committing to any hospice and palliative care provider. Hospices often provide similar services, so find out what makes a particular hospice provider unique. Ask about policies, any special care needs, and the company’s ability to meet your loved one’s physical, end of life planning and spiritual needs. Consider meeting with the Hospice agency’s social worker or chaplain to get a feel for the way the organization can help your family outside of medical care.

Here are some sample questions to consider asking when looking for home hospice care:

Does the agency have hospice and palliative care certified Nurses and Aides available to provide hospice care?

How long has the hospice in existence?

What services does the hospice program provide?

How often will a nurse or other hospice staff visit?

Who owns the hospice?

How are home caregivers trained?

Find out if the home hospice company you are looking at is Medicare certified, as Medicare provides baseline requirements for quality home hospice care. In order for a hospice to qualify for Medicare certification, hospices must offer 16 separate core and auxiliary services, which will help to guarantee your loved ones needs will be met. Services should include skilled nursing, bereavement counseling, nutritional services, physician services, home care, physical therapy, medication administration and household services.

Home hospice care exists to support people who have made the choice to enter the final phase of their lives and their families. Millcreek Home Health and Hospice is here to for you when it comes time to decide on the appropriate hospice care that you or your loved one needs. Our professional staff members are caring and compassionate and can help answer questions about hospice and palliative care.