Despite rising awareness of hospice care, many eligible patients in Fremont, California, aren’t taking full advantage of the services available. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the average length of stay is just 97 days – and that’s quite a bit less time than the amount covered by the Medicare hospice benefit.
Medicare provides coverage in benefit periods. Initially, patients are granted two 90-day stays, or a total of six months. Following that, anyone who remains medically eligible can continue in hospice care, making use of an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods. So, an individual with a terminal diagnosis, an expected prognosis of six months or less and no interest in pursuing a cure could actually receive hospice services for a year or longer.
Why are we telling you this? After seeing how much of a difference hospice care makes to the end-of-life experience, most people wish they had started services sooner. Planning ahead is important, and if you have a loved one who may be eligible for hospice in the near future, you’ll want to understand how the process works. Here, the professional team at Suncrest of Fremont explains.
Having the Hospice Conversation
A discussion about hospice care is a good idea for anyone with a terminal diagnosis. Bringing up the topic of hospice doesn’t mean there’s no hope or that death is imminent – it’s merely a way to ensure that the individual is in a position to make an informed choice.
When you’re ready to have a chat about hospice care with someone you hold dear, choose a time and place that allows for an uninterrupted conversation. Consider, too, whether other family members should be present. Once the stage is set, start by listening to what your loved one has to say about entering hospice. If their opinion is unfavorable, share reassuring information, without being argumentative. Many people in Fremont are misinformed, and explaining the following might dispel any doubts:
- Hospice isn’t a facility – it’s a form of comfort care, and services can be provided wherever your loved one calls home.
- Hospice care at home isn’t expensive – Medicare, Medi-Cal and most private insurance plans fully cover the costs.
- Hospice patients are free to make their own care decisions – and anyone can choose to leave hospice at any time.
In addition, several studies have shown that individuals who take advantage of hospice services tend to live longer than those who don’t. Research also shows the value in hospice care, as this type of support is linked to a better quality of life at the last stages of a terminal illness. Make all of this clear, and your loved one may be more willing to accept support when the time is right.
Choosing a Hospice Care Provider
In Fremont, California, patients have control over where they turn for hospice services. A physician may make a recommendation, but following their advice in this regard isn’t a must – terminally ill individuals can choose the care provider they feel is most capable of meeting their goals for the end of life.
If your loved one’s doctor suggests a specific hospice care agency, that’s a good starting point. But take the time to read reviews of several local care providers, as you might gain insight that guides the decision. In any case, when the time to enter hospice draws near, arrange for a consultation with each agency under consideration. Most, including Suncrest, would be happy to send a representative out to your loved one’s home at no cost and with no obligation to initiate services.
A hospice consultation includes a comprehensive clinical assessment to identify care needs and services that support the individual’s goals, but questions are welcome. Here are a few that can help you and your loved choose the right hospice care provider:
- Are you a Medicare-certified hospice care agency?
- How do families in Fremont rate your hospice services?
- Do you have a dedicated hotline for emergencies?
- What is your process for dealing with after-hours calls?
- Are there any care services or equipment you don’t provide?
Touching on that last question, make a point of finding out whether an agency only offers support at specific times or on certain days of the week. If so, you may want to look elsewhere to ensure that nothing gets in the way of your loved one getting the care they need.
Receiving Hospice Care Services
When the decision on where to turn for hospice care has been made, services can begin as soon as the consent form and other documents have been signed. At that time, the delivery of any necessary medications, medical equipment and medical supplies will be arranged. Members of the hospice team meet with the patient and family caregivers to discuss the plan of care and the timing for scheduled visits. However, nothing is set in stone – as needs change, additional support is made available.
Would you like more information on starting hospice care in Fremont, California? Suncrest is dedicated to helping terminally ill patients and their families, and we can explain everything you need to know. Contact us online or give us a call to arrange for a hospice consultation today.
