In Chicago, most people who are eligible for hospice care choose to receive services at home. And unlike medical facilities, homes aren’t ordinarily stocked with the medical equipment and supplies needed to care for someone who is terminally ill.
So, are families expected to purchase these items?
Thankfully, Medicare, the Illinois Medicaid program and most other insurance providers offer generous coverage for hospice care at home. More often than not, Chicago families don’t pay for any medical equipment or medical supplies. Here, the professional team at Suncrest answers common questions about these must-haves.
What Medical Equipment Is Covered?
The medical equipment needed for hospice care at home varies depending on the patient’s condition. In view of this, essential equipment – including the following –typically comes at no cost:
- Electric adjustable bed
- Bedside commode
- Wheelchair or walker
- Geriatric recliner
- Patient lift
- Shower chair
- CPAP machine
- Blood pressure monitor
- Oxygen equipment
- Nebulizer kit
- Feeding pump
The list above isn’t comprehensive, but should give Chicago families an idea of what types of medical equipment may be supplied for hospice care at home. When the time comes, members of the hospice team make arrangements for the delivery and set-up of all necessary equipment.
Which Medical Supplies Are Provided?
A range of medical supplies may be a must to have on-hand for hospice services to be delivered in the home setting. Medicare, the Illinois Medicaid program and most other insurance providers cover the following:
- Bandages and gauze
- Disposable gloves
- Syringes or needles
- Foley catheters
- Oxygen tubing
- Adult diapers or briefs
- Adult wet wipes
- Feeding tubes
- Mouth swabs
Again, the list above is incomplete, but after seeing what medical supplies are customarily covered, it should be clear that Chicago families won’t need to worry about purchasing any of the essentials. Also, as supplies run low, the hospice team will make sure they’re replenished.
Does Everything Come with Instructions?
Definitely. A member of the patient’s hospice team shows the family exactly how to use each piece of medical equipment, and they also provide guidance on the proper use of the medical supplies provided.
In the event of a question, anyone can reach out for an answer at any time. Medicare-certified hospice agencies, like Suncrest, have a hotline open for calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if a concern cannot be addressed over the phone, someone is sent out to the patient’s home to resolve the situation.
What if the Patient’s Needs Change?
Terminally ill individuals may initially have need of certain pieces of medical equipment – such as a walker or geriatric recliner – but as time goes on, those items may no longer be used. And sometimes, new gear – like catheters or oxygen equipment — becomes necessary at a later stage.
With hospice care at home, this isn’t an issue. As the patient’s condition evolves, equipment may come and go, and additional medical supplies may be provided. The hospice team continually evaluates the individual’s needs to ensure they aren’t lacking any essentials, and when an item isn’t needed, they’ll arrange for it to be removed from the home.
Is There Anything Families Should Purchase?
When a terminally ill individual chooses hospice care at home in Chicago, all of the equipment and supplies they need are covered under Medicare, the Illinois Medicaid program and most other forms of insurance. However, families may want to provide certain items to ensure comfort and convenience for their loved one. Here are a few extras to consider:
- Cozy blankets – Quite often, those who are terminally ill tend to get cold quickly. By adding or removing covers, it’s easier to keep the temperature regulated.
- Positioning devices – When someone is restricted to their bed, using wedges, cushions or pillows can help avert the development of pressure sores.
- An over–the-bed table – Grabbing a drink, snack or any other item is easier when it’s on this type of table, and the surface is also ideal to hold a laptop or tablet.
- A baby monitor or bell – For anyone on hospice care at home, a straightforward method of communicating with caregivers not in the room can be crucial.
- Nightlights – The last thing a hospice patient needs is to fall and suffer an injury, and with nightlights placed in hallways and rooms, this is less likely to happen.
- Favorite foods – When a terminally ill individual is willing and able to eat, having much-loved snacks and treats readily available can provide an emotional boost.
None of the above items are required for hospice care at home in Chicago, but having them can make the transition to hospice a bit less stressful. That said, families should check with the patient’s chosen hospice agency before making any purchases – by doing so, they can get pointers on what they should and shouldn’t buy.
Do you have a question we didn’t answer here? At Suncrest Hospice of Chicago, we’re always happy to help. If you’d like to know more about medical equipment and medical supplies for hospice patients – or about hospice care at home in general – contact our office in Chicago, Illinois, today.
