What is Hospice Care?

Does Hospice care mean terminal illness? No, certainly not always. Hospice care simply provides the most physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort possible without including any type of progressive or curative treatments. Yet, when people hear the phrase “hospice care” they start to feel anxious. We’re here to help ease your mind and dispel any myths about Hospice care you may have heard about.

Who Qualifies for Hospice Care?

In order to qualify for hospice care, patients must meet the hospice eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While no specific number of symptoms is required when qualifying for hospice, these guidelines can help determine if a patient’s condition is, or will soon be, appropriate for hospice care.

Hospice eligibility requirements:

• Patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition with a prognosis of six months or less if their disease runs its normal course
• Frequent hospitalizations in the past six months
• Progressive weight loss (taking into consideration edema weight)
• Increasing weakness, fatigue, and somnolence
• A change in cognitive and functional abilities
• Compromised Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring/walking, and continence
• Deteriorating mental abilities
• Recurrent Infections
• Specific decline in condition

Keep in mind, Hospice care and Home Health care can be interchanged depending on the need of the patient. Many patients go into Hospice care because of the symptoms listed above, only to begin recovery and transition back into Home Health care.

What Services Can I Receive Under Hospice Care?

Every Hospice care service is different, However, under our sister company, Vertex Hospice Care, you can receive any of the following services:

• Skilled Nursing Care: Our skilled nurses help in developing a personalized care plan for your loved one that will accommodate their unique needs. Once this is approved by the physician, this will be carried out by the care team to ensure your loved one’s comfort and safety at home. This includes, medication management, medication administration, IV therapy, wound care, and more
• Respite Care: If you need some time to take a break, you can get the help of our professionals to watch over your loved one and assist them while you are away.
• Medical Social Worker: Our medical social workers can assist you with the following- hospital discharge assistance, guidance on healthcare policy, counseling sessions, aiding family members cope with death or illness, and helping with advance directives.
• Spiritual Support: We believe the importance of spiritual care and how it helps patients and their families find peace despite the challenges they face. Your loved one and your family members can receive spiritual support when needed, so you can get spiritual guidance to help you cope with your overwhelming emotions, fear, and frustrations. Our staff can work as a liaison between you and your religious community. Furthermore, our chaplain can also help family members with funeral and memorial planning, if needed.
• Medical Equipment and Supplies: Does your loved one need durable medical equipment to help manage their symptoms and monitor their illness at home? You don’t have to worry about purchasing expensive medical equipment or paying pricey medical bills at a hospital to get the equipment your loved one needs. Our staff can arrange to have the equipment be delivered and set up in your loved one’s home for your convenience.
• Nutritional Counseling: Food is also one crucial part of the care process, especially in hospice. That’s why we see to it that your loved ones receive the nutrients that they need to improve their quality of life. Our registered dietitians can visit your loved one’s home to assess their condition and identify what nutrients can benefit their physical well-being. They will work closely with your caregiver to come up with a personalized diet plan that will address your loved one’s nutritional needs and concerns.
• Bereavement Program: When the loss of a loved one becomes too overwhelming to bear, you can turn to our bereavement program to help cope with your grief. Know that you are not alone in this journey of moving on, our team is here to guide through your road to acceptance. We give you access to both group and individual support services that will help you move forward and cope with grief effectively.

How Do I Go About Receiving Hospice Care If I or a Loved One Qualifies?

Our sister company, Vertex Hospice Care, works in the same way we do: referral-based. Any of the following can send in a referral requesting an individual receives hospice care:

• Any healthcare provider
• Hospital Discharge Planner
• Family Member
• Assisted Living Facility
• Caregiver
• Yourself!

If your caregiver recommends Hospice Care, do not feel overwhelmed or defeated. Hospice Care is simply another means to help your recovery process when possible.

If you or a loved one could benefit from any of the services provided under Hospice Care, please reach out to Vertex Hospice Care, Inc. to see how we can help. You can reach us at (818) 937–1001 or by emailing us at vertexhospicecare@gmail.com

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