Service Name: Bereavement Support
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Description of Service: |
VNA provides support and encouragement for the family and
close friends for 13 months following the death of a loved
one. Memorial Services are held at least once every year in
more than one area for the convenience of those wishing to
participate. Support Groups form and disban as the needs
arise. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
All are invited to participate in Memorial Services and
Support Groups whether a family member requested services of
VNA HOSPICE or not. |
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Additional Notes: |
Call to request information or a support group to meet your
needs. 1-800-286-5892 Ext. 201. |
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Service Name: Personal Care Aide
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Description of Service: |
Personal hygiene care, such as a bath, shampoo, shave and
other grooming, makes one feel good and look better. The
Aide provides care in the unhurried, private atmosphere of
the private home. Clean linens freshen the bed and promote
comfort. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, some Private Insurance, Private Purchase
and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase services
for the VNA Hospice patient. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are used for
most payment sources. The Interdisciplinary Team develops
the plan of care most appropriate to meet the needs of each
individual. |
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Service Name: Physician Support
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Description of Service: |
The VNA Hospice Medical Director is a licensed doctor
knowledgeable in pain control and other relief measures not
always available to all physicians. He will direct the care
provided or advise the referring physician, according to the
preference of the patient and the primary physician.
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and
Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice
services. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are followed.
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Service Name: Nursing Care
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Description of Service: |
Registered Nurses provide professional nursing services to
patients in the privacy of their own homes under the
direction of their personal physician and/or the hospice
medical director. Care is designed to maintain patient
comfort without sedation when pain is a concern. Other
symptoms of the illness or past treatment, such as nausea,
constipation, shortness of breath, fatigue, poor nutrition,
etc are addressed as needed. The patient and primary
caregiver are instructed in the use of all comfort measures
and what to expect as the disease progresses. They answer
questions and provide loving support, direction and
encouragement. They give of their knowledge, their
experience, their hearts and their hands. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and
Charitable Contributions are used to purchase hospice
nursing care. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
To qualify for hospice services, the patient must have: 1.)
a doctor's signed diagnosis of a terminal illness with six
months or less life expectancy (assuming the disease will
continue to progress at the current rate); 2.) An
understanding that a cure is not now available or the desire
to avoid any currently known treatments; 3.) An available,
willing and able caregiver in the home whenever the time
comes that the patient is no longer completely independent
with self-care or a willingness to move their residence to a
nursing facility; and, 4.) a desire to remain at home rather
than in an institution. |
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Additional Notes: |
A NURSE will make an initial home or hospital inquiry visit
to answer your questions about the hospice program before a
decision is made regarding services. It is recommended that
anyone who will be involved in this decision-making process
be present during this initial informational visit so
questions may be answered to your satisfaction. There is no
charge for an informational visit. |
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Service Name: Therapy Services
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Description of Service: |
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy
are provided only to give relief from a specific source of
discomfort such as muscle spasms or backache. Strenuous
exercises designed to strengthen and improve physical
function are inappropriate as they only cause added fatigue
and discomfort at a time when the patient needs to avoid
over-exertion. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and
Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice
services. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are used. See
Nursing Care for clarification of these. |
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Service Name: Pastoral Care
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Description of Service: |
Spirituality is a vital part of the total person and is
often an area of concern during the last six months of life.
The hospice chaplain will make initial contact with each
patient. Any additional contact will be at the request of
the patient or family. Services of a pastor will be
arranged, or can be provided by the Hospice Chaplain, for
any hospice family requesting this service. Spiritual
counseling is never forced on anyone. No denomination is
encouraged over any other. The patient's needs and desires
are respectfully acknowledged. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and
Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice
services. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are followed.
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Additional Notes: |
No one is urged to accept the beliefs of another. Support
and encouragement in your chosen faith are respectfully
offered. |
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Service Name: Medications, Equipment
and Medical Supplies
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Description of Service: |
VNA Hospice provides medicines, durable medical equipment,
such as hospital beds and oxygen, and medical supplies, such
as catheters and bandages, related to the terminal illness.
A diet supplement may also be made available as needed.
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Prescriptions must be written and signed by a licensed
physician. The Interdisciplinary Team, which meets every two
weeks, must approve any addition of services and supplies to
the plan of care. The Team makes recommendations to support
patient comfort. Interim changes are made as requested by
the patient or family and approved by the physician.
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Additional Notes: |
Prescriptions, equipment and supplies are most often
obtained from a provider already affiliated with the hospice
to avoid delays, especially after hours and on weekends. VNA
Hospice will make every effort to arrange for the above from
the patient's preferred provider as time and their condition
allows. |
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Service Name: Social Services
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Description of Service: |
The social worker will make an assessment visit and any
follow-up visits as needed. The PATIENT AND FAMILY receive
assistance in identifying and coping with the concerns
facing them as end-of-life decisions must be made. The
social worker compassionately supports the patient as they
prepare their family for continued life. Assistance is given
in making funeral arrangements if desired. Long-standing
family conflicts may be addressed and resolved, if
necessary. Expressions of love are shared and dreams
fulfilled as much as time will allow. The social worker must
keep in contact by phone or visit at least every two weeks
and then will follow the family for thirteen months
following the death of their loved one to provide any needed
assistance. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and
Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice
services provided. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility requirements are used by
most payment sources. These are outlined under Nursing
Services. Social Services is one of the core services
required of all hospice programs participating under
Medicare/Medicaid guidelines. |
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Additional Notes: |
THE PATIENT AND FAMILY ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN hospice
services as soon as a terminal diagnosis has been made as
there is much to do to prepare and there is seldom enough
time to complete the work. Many physicians have a difficult
time telling a patient that they are at the end of this
life. Ask your doctor to tell you the truth, if you want to
know, so that he/she will know what you want. Hospice care
has been known to increase the time a person has to live. It
always improves the quality of the time remaining and the
sense of accomplishment among the surviving caregivers.
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Service Name: Hospital Inpatient
Care
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Description of Service: |
Short periods of inpatient care may be provided for acute
symptom control or to permit a day or two of rest for the
caregiver. The goal is to maintain the patient at home as
much as possible without jeopardizing patient comfort or
caregiver coping abilities. |
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Payment Methods: |
The hospice reimburses the hospital for the stay of Medicare
and Medicaid patients as long as the admission is related to
the terminal illness. Medicare/Medicaid will reimburse the
hospital directly for services unrelated to the terminal
illness. The patient may be responsible for the hospital
costs if the hospice nurse is not notified of the patient's
desire to transfer to the hospital before the actual
admission takes place. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
The Interdisciplinary Team meets to discuss patient and
caregiver needs every two weeks. Interim problems are
addressed by the physician and nurse and/or social worker as
they arise. |
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Additional Notes: |
THE PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE
HOSPICE NURSE BEFORE CALLING AN AMBULANCE. This is to avoid
patient discomfort due to: 1.) An unnecessary hospital
admission for a problem that can be remedied at home; 2.) A
delay in the emergency department of the hospital and the
performance of unnecessary "routine" lab and X-rays. The
hospice nurse will make the needed arrangements for a direct
admission to the hospital that bypasses any procedures not
contributing directly to patient comfort. |
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Service Name: Continuous Care
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Description of Service: |
During a medical crisis, the patient may require the
services of the hospice staff around-the-clock. Staffing
will be provided as necessary to best meet the needs of the
patient. This service is most often used during the last day
or so of life. In all cases, the patient has requested to
remain at home if at all possible. This service is designed
to supplement the care provided by the primary caregiver,
not replace him/her, during a time of increased need.
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Payment Methods: |
Both Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefits provide for this
service. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
The Interdisciplinary Team must approve the service.
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Service Name: Homemaker Assistance
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Description of Service: |
Assistance with meal preparations, laundry and light
housekeeping chores may be provided as a comfort to the
patient and an aid to the primary caregiver. Homemaking
assistance is designed to permit the primary caregiver more
direct contact with their loved one furing the time
remaining without feeling neglectful of their routine
household duties. |
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Payment Methods: |
Medicaid will purchase some hours for beneficiaries and VNA
HOSPICE supplements those hours with any additional services
needed. Non-Medicaid recepients also receive Homemaker
services as a courtesy from VNA HOSPICE. |
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Services are approved as part of the plan of care by the
Interdisciplinary Team. |
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Additional Notes: |
VNA HOSPICE is the only hospice in the area that routinely
provides this service to ALL families. Medicaid recepients
receive this service as part of their Medicaid benefit. VNA
HOSPICE recognizes that almost everyone can benefit from
this added help. |
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Service Name: Volunteer
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Description of Service: |
Hospice volunteers give time, attention and compassion to
patient and family. They listen when others are too busy or
afraid to hear what might be said. They give you time to
remember, to think, to act, to sleep. The volunteer is there
for you so you are not alone while the primary caregiver
attends to other duties or gets some rest. The hospice
volunteers have been trained to use their years of
experience to respond to you and your needs. Even younger
volunteers are available to "be there" for children.
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Eligibility Requirements: |
Every hospice patient is offered the companionship and
support of a volunteer. |
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Additional Notes: |
VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED. The 16-hour training is
provided free-of-charge by VNA Hospice to any interested
person without obligation. The training is beneficial to
anyone who will ever visit the sick, care for someone in
their own family, or face the death of a loved one. Most
people have a natural tendency to avoid sick persons because
they are unsure of what to say or do. This training provides
solutions to these insecurities. |
