Many people in the Virginia Beach area who could benefit from hospice care don’t take advantage of the services that are available. Others don’t consider the option as early as they should, missing out on months of care and support.
In either case, the reasons are varied. Some people are afraid to discuss hospice care or are worried about the costs, or they’re waiting for a doctor to bring up the topic. More than a few are unaware of the benefits or their eligibility, and families often don’t realize that they can initiate the hospice process on their own.
As hospice care services are designed to improve quality of life in the last months, it’s important to plan ahead. If you believe your loved one might be ready for hospice, here’s what you should do.
Step 1: Start the Conversation
As a general rule, it’s time to consider hospice care if one of the following is true:
- Your loved one has a life-limiting condition or incurable illness and is no longer responding to treatment.
- Your loved one has decided to discontinue disease treatment because it is too draining or physically debilitating.
- Your loved one is in the end stages of Alzheimer’s disease or has severe dementia and has a live expectance of six months or less.
Having a discussion about hospice care with your loved one comes first (if possible, of course), and you need to present the facts — without being persuasive or argumentative. Many people are misinformed about hospice, making them reluctant to consider the matter. If that’s the reaction you receive, take a gentle approach. Ask about their concerns, be supportive and share information to set their mind at rest. For instance, you may need to explain the following:
- Accepting hospice services doesn’t mean moving to a special facility, it can mean getting extra care and support at home.
- Hospice care isn’t expensive, as the costs are fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans.
- Patients in hospice may keep their own doctors, and may continue to make their own decisions – they can even leave hospice if they like
If you address your loved one’s specific concerns, they should see the benefits of entering hospice. But don’t pressure them to accept – the choice should be theirs.
Step 2: Begin the Search
If you think that your loved one might be ready to accept hospice care services – or at least ready to have a more in-depth conversation — your next step is to look for a local provider.
To start, ask their physician for names of reputable hospice companies in the Virginia Beach area. Also, if you know anyone who has been in this position, asking about their experience with a local hospice care provider can be helpful – if you respect their opinion, that is. Once you have several names, look at company reviews.
By reading reviews, you can gain valuable insight regarding the performance, quality of care and responsiveness of each hospice care provider. Using this information, you can narrow your search.
Step 3: Compare Providers
Next, request a consultation with each of the Virginia Beach hospice companies you’re considering. Most, including Suncrest Hospice, will send someone out to your loved one’s home – or wherever it is that they call home – at no cost and with no obligation to accept services.
When you meet with the hospice company representatives, they’ll conduct a clinical assessment to identify your loved one’s needs. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. The answers you receive, along with your impression of the hospice representative, can guide you toward the right choice. To that end, here are some of the most important questions to ask:
- How long has your hospice company been in operation?
- Who are the members of the hospice care team?
- What types of services and equipment will be provided?
- Are there any care services or supplies that aren’t provided?
- Is the hospice staff available on nights and weekends?
- What is the typical response to after-hours calls and emergencies?
- How does the hospice meet spiritual and emotional needs?
- What is expected of the family caregivers on a day-to-day basis?
- How often will a member of the hospice care team visit?
- What happens if care cannot be managed at home?
- Is respite care – a break for family caregivers – readily available?
- What bereavement services are available upon a patient’s passing?
In addition, make sure to find out if there are any limitations to the services a hospice company provides. Some might only offer services at certain times, or they may only offer care two or three nights per week. Circumstances like these can be deal-breakers, as you don’t want anything interfering with your loved one’s care.
Step 4: Make the Arrangements
When you and your loved one have decided on a hospice care provider, you can begin the admission process. As soon as the consent form and other required documents have been signed, the company will make arrangements to have any necessary supplies and equipment delivered. The hospice care team will develop a comprehensive plan to meet your loved one’s needs, and they’ll begin receiving services within days.
With the right hospice company, your loved one will be able to make the most of the time they have left. If you’re looking for a trusted hospice care provider in the Virginia Beach area, contact Suncrest Hospice today.
