From Taj Casagrande
Care Initiatives Hospice in Greenfield
Please join me this National Hospice Month and all year-long to encourage those facing life-limiting illnesses to consider utilizing the benefits hospice care provides.
Talking about death is not a comfortable situation for many people. But it is an inevitable component that comes with living. There are trained professionals who are able to assist patients and families through this difficult stage, but not many people are familiar with the concept of hospice. I’d like to list five things to help people understand what hospice is, and more importantly, what it isn’t.
Hospice is not a place. Hospice is a specialized practice of care for someone who is near death. Hospice care can be provided anywhere – in a nursing home or hospital, but most often, treatment is given in a person’s home.
Hospice does not replace medical care. The main difference between standard medical care and hospice care is instead of treating to cure, hospice treats to care. In hospice, medication and therapies are only prescribed to manage pain for relieve symptoms.
Hospice is available to people of any age or condition. Patients with any kind of terminal illness can receive hospice care. A main criterion is that a patient’s doctor must determine that life expectancy is six-months or less.
Most hospice costs are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurers. Hospice providers can arrange for in-home amenities like a bed, oxygen and other needed equipment. Hospice providers can help teach at-home caregivers how to operate equipment or administer certain medications. And if an in-home caregiver is not capable the hospice team can find a private nurse. Medicare, Medicaid and the Veteran’s Administration may cover all hospice costs for those eligible. Those with private insurance should consult their insurance carrier.
Hospice care does not hurry death. Hospice empowers people to choose how to spend their final days and die with dignity and peace of mind. The purpose of hospice is to relieve suffering and to make the end of life more meaningful. Hospice staff can help patient and family come to terms with death.
Help me thank those caregivers and volunteers providing this compassionate care every day, 24 hours a day. Should you be faced with the possibility of a need for hospice care, please reach out to a hospice provider in our area to ask questions about how hospice can help you and your family.