Hospice care is often misunderstood, and in the minds of many people in Cleveland, Ohio, the term is associated with imminent death. Those who enter hospice may have given up on life, or at least that’s the common belief.
In actuality, hospice is a special type of care that prioritizes comfort and quality of life instead of curative measures. And while services are for the terminally ill, hospice care isn’t about losing hope – it’s about making the most of the time a person has left. The goal is to reduce pain, relieve other troubling symptoms, and address the patient’s psychological, social and spiritual needs. Families also get support, as counseling, respite care, and bereavement services are provided.
If you have a loved one with an incurable disease or condition, is it time to consider hospice care? Who can access services in Cleveland? Read on for the information you need.
Qualifications for Hospice Care
Hospice services are for terminally ill individuals who are nearing the end of life. However, a person doesn’t need to have just a few hours or days left – they become eligible for hospice care as soon as a physician officially declares their life expectancy to be six months or less.
Anyone who meets that requirement, regardless of their age, can enter hospice if they’re no longer seeking curative treatment. Services may be available to Cleveland residents who are suffering from:
- Lung disease, kidney failure and cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) and cardiac disease
- Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS)
- Alzheimer’s disease and advanced dementia
- Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
- Motor neurone disease (MND) and other neurological conditions
This list is by no means exhaustive – hospice care is for people with any life-limiting disease or illness. Whatever terminal condition your loved one is dealing with, hospice is an option.
The Six-Month Prognosis for Hospice Care
As we mentioned, a person must be expected to live for six months or less to receive hospice services. That’s the guideline followed by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans – so if your loved one has received that prognosis, the costs may be covered.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean their death is imminent. Doctors often have a hard time predicting how long a terminally ill person will live, and for some, health declines more slowly than anticipated.
So, what happens if someone who has entered hospice lives for longer than six months? In that event, there’s two potential outcomes:
- If a doctor continues to certify that a patient has a limited life expectancy, they will continue to receive services.
- If a patient’s condition is no longer considered terminal, they will be discharged – but if necessary, they can return to hospice at a later date.
Who Provides Hospice Care in Cleveland?
Hospice companies – like Suncrest – provide care services to eligible Cleveland residents. To meet the needs of each patient, providers have a team of health care professionals. Depending on your loved one’s priorities and preferences, their team members may include:
- Their own doctor
- A hospice physician
- Nurses and home health aides
- A physical or occupational therapist
- A speech-language pathologist
- A spiritual advisor or chaplain
When someone enters hospice, they’re asked to choose a trusted family member or friend to act as their primary caregiver. If you’re given the role, you can expect to work with the hospice care team in developing a plan to meet your loved one’s needs. You may also have to communicate their wishes and help make decisions regarding their care. In effect, you’ll be a member of the team – and a very important one.
Where is Hospice Care Provided?
Contrary to common belief, hospice isn’t a place. The vast majority of Cleveland patients receive services right at home, wherever that happens to be. With Suncrest, for instance, your loved one can receive hospice care at:
- Their own private home
- The home of a relative
- A local nursing home
- An assisted living center
- A residential care facility
For hospice care at a Cleveland home, the primary caregiver is responsible for around-the-clock supervision. Also, for in-home hospice, someone may be required to be with the patient at all times. However, training and support will be provided, and hospice team members will visit regularly to check on the patient, their caregivers and the family. If there’s an emergency, a registered nurse is always available by phone.
Schedule a Consultation with Suncrest Hospice Today
At Suncrest, we have a team of highly skilled professionals who are passionate about their work. We’re proud to be a leading provider of hospice care services in Cleveland and the greater northeastern Ohio area, and you can count on us to treat your loved one with the level of kindness, compassion and caring we’d want for our own family members.
For more information on the services we provide in Cleveland, Ohio, or to schedule a hospice care consultation, contact us today.
