Hospice Care
Hospice care is used when a disease gets to the point when treatment can no longer cure or control it. In general, hospice care should be used when a person is expected to live about 6 months or less if the illness runs its usual course. People with advanced illness should have a discussion with their family members and doctor to decide together when hospice care should begin. Studies show hospice care often is not started soon enough. Sometimes the doctor, patient, or family member will resist hospice because they think it means “giving up” or that there’s no hope. It’s important to know that you can leave hospice and seek active treatment at any time if desired. The hope is that hospice contributes to a quality life, making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness. Some doctors don’t bring up hospice, so the patient or family member might decide to start the conversation. If your treatment isn’t working anymore and you’ve run out of treatment options, you might want to ask your doctor or a member of your care team about hospice.
What does hospice provide?
Support
Emotional and Spiritual Support
Grief Support & Bereavement Counseling
Volunteer Services
Training & Coaching for Caregivers
Management
Manage Pain & Symptoms - 24 hours a day/365 days a year
Medication Management
Medical Supplies & Equipment
Facility
Inpatient Care - short-term care when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home
Respite Care - temporary facility based care when caregivers need a break
When is hospice needed?
The best care for the patient and the family is to have hospice care when a cure is not feasible. Hospice guides the patient and family through the transition as the disease or illness progresses. Caregivers of hospice patients have told us that their only regret was that they did not get their loved-one the care and support of hospice sooner.
Here are some reasons hospice should be started for a patient:
Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness
Overall decline in health, worsening fatigue
No longer eligible for or desire aggressive treatments
Reduced desire to eat, unintentional weight loss
Frequent ER visits or hospitalizations
Difficulty performing routine daily tasks
Increased symptoms: pain, shortness of breath, nausea
Patients receive the best results the earlier comfort care starts. The hospice team anticipates and addresses patient and family needs before they become problematic. Our services give patients the opportunity to make the most of their life, regardless of diagnosis.
Who pays for hospice?
Medicare and Medi-Cal pay for 100% of hospice services for those who qualify. Many private insurance plans also cover hospice care; however, benefits vary per policy and will often require authorization. Our staff will work with the patient’s insurance company to coordinate benefits.
Medicare & Medi-Cal
Covers extensive collection of interdisciplinary services plus all medications, medical supplies and medical equipment related to the hospice diagnosis
Includes routine home care, general inpatient care, respite care and continuous care
If Medicare is being billed for hospice care, patients can still bill Medicare Part A for any unrelated and pre-existing issues
If patients reside in a nursing facility, the facility will receive room and board reimbursement if hospice is chosen
Private Insurance
Most private insurances provide for hospice services with little to no out of pocket expense.
Sanctuary Hospice will work with your private insurance company to obtain prior authorization for hospice services.
No one is denied service because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, diagnosis, or inability to pay for services provided.
How does the hospice process work?
Transitioning to hospice can be an emotional and confusing process. With Sanctuary Hospice, our goal is to make the process simple. We are here to provide compassion, support and quality services so the hospice process relieves stress and provides clarity.
Apply for Sanctuary Hospice
To start the hospice process, fill out a patient referral form here. Our staff will process your intake and coordinate with you, your family and your current care providers to determine if hospice is the best fit.
Patient Assessment
First we will focus on understanding the illness and what to expect in the future. By coordinating with the patient, physicians, caregivers and family, we can assess what the patients future will look like.
Customized Care Plan
Our team will create a clear and effective plan for managing symptoms through hospice care. Together, we will determine the frequency of visits from the hospice staff and make important medical and lifestyle decisions based on the patients needs.
Deliver Satisfactory Services
After an individualized plan is determined, we will work to ensure a safe and comfortable transition into hospice care. We will also provide training to family members in how to provide care and connect them with medical and support resources.
Does your loved one need hospice?
To learn if you or a loved one could benefit from hospice care services call (916) 671-3017 or email us at info@sanctuary-hospice.com for a consultation.