What Is A Hospice Home?

A Hospice Home is an answer to the home-care alternative. It is a freestanding, dedicated home for hospice patients. This freestanding facility offers more control over the care and atmosphere of inpatient services than do hospice units located in medical facilities.

The new Hospice Home care emphasizes the quality of life and death with dignity, and provides for expanded options and opportunities such as:

- A homelike, supportive atmosphere in which to assist patients and their entire family through the final stage of life

- Specially trained personnel who deliver the hospice kind of highly specialized, unique care 24 hours a day, seven days a week by attending to the medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of patients and their entire families.

- Cost effective care for the terminally ill - one-third the cost of a traditional medical setting.

General Guidelines for the Hospice Home

Eligibility:

A patient who meets criteria for hospice care is eligible for admission to the Hospice Home. The attending physician/medical director and hospice team agree the admission is appropriate.

Inpatient Care:

This level of care shall be implemented for pain control or management of acute and severe clinical problems which cannot be managed in other settings.

Respite Care:

The family/caregiver can avail themselves of short-term (5 days) relief from home care. The home care will be resumed after respite care.

Residential Care:

The patient/family may choose this level. Room and board is the responsibility of the patient/family.

Charges:

Medicare and many insurances cover symptom management/terminal care and respite.

Procedure for Admission:

All respite and residential care admissions are pre-scheduled through the clinical supervisor. Inpatient level will be accommodated ASAP, pending bed availability.

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Patient & Guest Information

Visiting:

Visitors are expected and welcome at the Hospice Home. There are no restrictions on number of visitors, ages, or times of visiting.

Although we encourage family members to go home and rest, a family member may stay overnight. Accommodations will be available in your loved one's room.

Personal Items:

We encourage our patients to bring the things from home that will make them feel comfortable. A favorite pair of PJ's, a cuddly robe, a comforter or favorite blanket, and family photos are examples of things to bring. We want our patients to feel as much at home as they can.

Medications Brought From Home:

When bringing medications from home, we ask that the patient's medications be in their original containers. Please give them to the RN on duty. All medications will be labeled and dispensed by the RN on each shift.

Food Service:

Meals served to each patient will be planned to accommodate their preferences. Snacks will also be available to the patient.

For families coming to visit there is a microwave and a small refrigerator for items that are brought from home. We ask that each family date and label each container. Coffee is available. A pop machine is also in the building. A map of local restaurants will be available at the front desk.

Pets:

We know that a patient's pet is very important, so Miss Kitty or Mr. Fido can come to visit, but we ask that the family schedule a specific time for this. By having a special time, it will give all the patients staying at the Hospice Home a chance to enjoy their cherished pet by spending quiet, quality time with them.

Telephone Calls:

We know how important keeping in touch with family members can be during this time. Each patient room is equipped with a phone. Incoming calls may go through the nurse's desk or directly to the patient's room. Long distance calls may be placed with operator assistance or credit cards for billing purposes.

Computer Availability:

Each patient's room has a modem line for the patient and family's convenience. We now offer wireless internet connection thru out the entire facility.

Television:

Each patient room is equipped with a TV. There is also a TV in the family room. Ask a volunteer or staff for available movies.

Housekeeping Services:

Basic room linens will be provided and a hospital gown will be provided. Personal laundry facilities are available upon request.

Smoking:

The Hospice Center is a smoke-free environment. There is a designated area used for smoking purposes.

Visitor's Restrooms:

A handicapped accessible bathroom is available.

Team Members:

The Medical Director is responsible for ensuring that appropriate medical care is provided in the Hospice Home. Registered Nurses and Certified Nurses Aides are on duty at all times to care for medical needs. Other team members include social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers.

All team members work together to provide the patient and family with compassionate and supportive care during this difficult time.

The Hospice Building:

The Hospice Home has 16 private patient bedrooms with sleeping accommodations for family members, a family room, living room, dining room, kitchen, spa room, children's playroom and a solace room for patient and family use.

Additional patient room security is maintained via 24/7 video monitoring from the nurses station.

The Administration building houses our "home" care team of professionals and volunteers. Our home care team serves approximately 150 patients daily in their home or nursing home - wherever they reside. Administrative offices are also located in this area.

The Hospice Home Privacy Information:

Hospice maintains a current listing of patients, their room numbers and telephone extensions in the Hospice Home and may disclose this information to people who ask for you by name. If you do not want this basic information disclosed, you may request restrictions.

Patient Satisfaction:

We want you and your family to be satisfied with the services provided. If you have a recommendation of how we can improve our services, please contact the nurse on duty or the Director of Operations.