Hospice care is a compassionate, holistic approach to caring for people who are incurably ill. Salt Lake City hospice agencies provide an array of services and necessities, all of which help patients live in comfort for as long as they are able.
However, this isn’t common knowledge. Hospice is widely misunderstood, leading many people to overlook the option until they only have a few days or weeks left. Here at Suncrest, families often tell us that if they had known that hospice care could provide their loved one with a more comfortable end-of-life experience, they would have called sooner. With that in mind, we’re sharing the basics on hospice care. If someone you love has an incurable illness, the following information should prove helpful.
Who Qualifies for Hospice Care?
Contrary to common belief, people who are bedridden and those who are actively dying aren’t the only individuals who can benefit from hospice services. Medicare and the Utah Medicaid program cover the costs when medical eligibility is met – and Salt Lake City patients who qualify can remain on hospice for an unlimited period of time.
If the following apply to a loved one, hospice services are worth considering:
- Despite medical intervention, their physical or cognitive function has declined significantly – and doctors don’t expect this to change.
- They have a terminal condition and a prognosis of no more than six months, assuming their condition follows the usual path of progression.
- They’re ready to let nature take its course, stopping further life-extending efforts in favor of comfort measures that offer a better quality of life.
Hospice care is an option with any terminal diagnosis — cancer, dementia, stroke, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, coma and numerous other conditions qualify – as long as the patient meets the basic criteria. In other words, anyone who is seriously ill can choose hospice if they have a limited life expectancy and don’t plan to continue the search for a cure.
Where is Hospice Care Provided?
So many people think that going to hospice means going to a special facility, but that isn’t the case. Hospice is a special approach to care, not a destination. The goal is to help terminally ill individuals enjoy their remaining time in comfort, and to that end, services can be provided wherever a patient prefers.
In Salt Lake City, people receive hospice care in a number of locations, including:
- Their own homes
- A family member’s home
- A nursing home
- An assisted living facility
- A senior housing community
- An in-patient unit at a hospital
More often than not, those who qualify for hospice chose to receive services in their own homes or wherever they currently reside. Family members act as the primary caregivers, but they always have the support of an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals. And whenever necessary, temporary in-home nursing care or a short hospital stay can be arranged.
What Does Hospice Care Entail?
As we’ve mentioned, hospice is a special approach to caring for the incurably ill, and the purpose is to provide comfort, support and peace at the final stage of life. Not everyone realizes this, though, and some people who qualify for hospice are reluctant to consider the option.
In that event, explaining the available services may help. The list includes:
- Medication for pain management and symptom control
- Durable medical equipment and medical supplies
- Skilled nursing care and help from home health aides
- Physical, occupational and speech-language therapy
- Special services, such as art, music and pet therapy
- Support from social workers and spiritual advisors
- Bereavement care and grief counseling services
Every incurably ill individual in hospice – and each of their loved ones — has unique needs, concerns and wishes. With that in mind, Salt Lake City hospice agencies develop a customized plan of care for each patient. The specific services included can vary, but the intent is always to provide physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual support.
Who Pays for Hospice Care?
In Salt Lake City, worries about paying for hospice care are common – and we’re happy to say, most people find that they have no reason to be concerned. Sure, hiring a team of experienced doctors, nurses, therapists, and other specialists would be quite expensive, patients and families don’t typically shoulder the financial burden.
For eligible patients, the costs of hospice care may be covered by:
- Medicare Part A
- The Utah Medicaid program
- Private health insurance
- Military benefits, through CHAMPVA or Tricare
When none of the above applies, personal savings or a reverse mortgage can supply the means to pay for hospice care. However, not everyone has those options – and those in need of alternative solutions can contact a Salt Lake City hospice agency. Most, including Suncrest, have specialists on staff who can provide information about payment assistance programs and non-traditional funding sources.
Would you like to learn more? Or do you have a loved one who may be ready for hospice in the near future? Suncrest is here to help, and you can turn to us for answers, information and advice at any time. For more on hospice care in Salt Lake City, Utah, contact us today.
