Nursing Service

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 provided to maintain patient comfort without sedation when pain is a concern. Other symptoms of illnes, such as nausea, constipation, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc are addressed as needed. The Patient and primary Caregiver are instructed in use of all comfort measures and what to expect as the disease progresses. Nurses answer questions and provide loving support and encouragement. They give of their knowledge, their hearts, and their hands at all times.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase hospice nursing care.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for hospice care, the patient must have a doctor's signed diagnosis of a terminal illness with six months or less life expectancy (if the disease continues as it has in most cases in the past), an understanding that a cure is not now available, a willing and able caregiver (family member or friend) when unable to be alone, and a preference to die at home.

Additional Notes:

A nurse will visit with you and your family to answer your questions about hospice care before a decision must be made to choose this type of care. It is recommended that anyone you want involved in making this decision be present during this informational visit so all questions can be answered to your satisfaction.

Social Service

Description of Service:

The Social Worker will make an assessment visit and any follow-up visits that you want. 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. 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 assistance necessary.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice services provided.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and Medicaid eligibility requirements are used by most other payment sources. These are outlined under Skilled Nursing Services.

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 their true prognosis. They want more than anything fot their patient to live. Ask your doctor to tell you the truth (if you want to know it) so that you will have more time to do what you want to do. Hospice care has been known to increase the time a person has to live. It almost always improves the quality of the time left, if started early enough.

Personal Care Aide

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 your home. The amount of care provided is determined by what you feel and want at the time.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase services for the VNA hospice patient.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are used for most payment sources.

Pastoral Care

Description of Service:

Services of a pastor will be arranged for any family requesting this service. Spiritual concerns are addressed by the Hospice Chaplain at the request of the patient. Spiritual advice is not forced on anyone. No denomination is encouraged over any other. The patient's needs and desires are respectfully acknowledged. The Hospice Chaplain will make initial contact with each patient. Any additional contact will be at the request of the patient or family.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice services.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are followed.

Additional Notes:

No one is urged to accept the beliefs of another. Support and encouragement in your chosen faith are offered.

Therapy Services

Description of Service:

Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy are given only as comfort measures. No attempt is made to begin an exercise program that will benefit the patient in no way except to exhaust them. In some cases, brief periods of exercise or therapy have eased some discomfort such as backache or muscle spasms. Therapy is provided ONLY as a relief from discomfort.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase, and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice services.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are used. See Skilled Nursing for clarification of these.

Physician Supervision

Description of Service:

The hospice medical director is a licensed doctor knowledgeable in pain control and other relief measures. He will direct the care you receive or advise your personal physician, according to your preference and the desire of your doctor. Most personal physicians prefer to let the Hospice Medical Director prescribe relief measures as this is a specialty in medicine they may not feel as adept at. Your doctor will want you to be as comfortable and safe as possible. You will probably want to discuss this with him/her.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to purchase all hospice services.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and Medicaid eligibility guidelines are followed.

Volunteer

Description of Service:

The hospice volunteer has been trained to respond to you in a way only a friend can. The volunteer GIVES YOU TIME to talk, to remember, to think, to act, to sleep. The volunteer will BE THERE WITH YOU and for you so that your primary caregiver can go to the store, the bank, the post office, the beauty shop/barber, pick the kids up from school, go to church or any place else knowing that you will not be alone. The volunteer WILL BE THERE FOR YOU. The volunteer will GIVE TO YOU and will GIVE TO YOUR FAMILY without ever expecting anything in return.

Payment Methods:

Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Private Purchase and Charitable Contributions are used to provide the volunteer's training and support. The volunteer is never paid.

Housekeeping Services

Description of Service:

Light housekeeping assistance may be provided as a comfort measure for the patient and as an aid to the primary caregiver. Housekeeping support for a few hours each week to do routine housework frees the primary caregiver so they can spend more time with their loved ones.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Interdisciplinary Team must recommend and approve assistance.

Medications, Equipment and Medical Supplies.

Description of Service:

VNA Hospice provides all medicines, equipment (such as a hospital bed, etc.) and medical supplies (such as catheters and bandages) related to the terminal illness.

Eligibility Requirements:

A licensed physician must write prescriptions. The Interdisciplinary Team can and do recommend options for Patient choice.

Additional Notes:

Prescriptions, equipment and supplies are most often provided by VNA Home Medical Equipment to avoid delays, especially after hours, and to reduce expenses. VNA Hospice makes every effort to comply with Patient wishes.

Routine Care

Description of Service:

A plan of care is designed specifically to meet your needs each day. Your personal preferences as well as medical, spiritual and sociological needs are taken into consideration in developing your plan of care. It is changed as your needs change.

Eligibility Requirements:

The interdisciplinary team will discuss your needs with you and offer all available support.

Additional Notes:

The Patient and Family are instructed to contact the Hospice Nurse at any time of the day or night should a need or question arise that requires attention before the next regularly scheduled visit. Every effort is made to maintain you comfortably in your own home despite ongoing changes in your needs. Medication and equipment is often ordered and available for your use before you need it to avoid late night and weekend disruptions to your comfort. You will be asked to call your VNA Hospice nurse BEFORE calling an ambulance as most needs can be met more quickly and more comfortably at home. Should hospitalization be necessary, your nurse can facilitate your admission to avoid unnecessary procedures or delays in the hospital admission process.

Inpatient Care

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 family caregiver.

Eligibility Requirements:

The interdisciplinary team will discuss your needs with you and offer all available support.

Additional Notes:

The Patient and Family will be instructed to contact the Hospice Nurse BEFORE calling an ambulance for transport of the patient to a hospital or nursing facility. This is to avoid the discomfort and the delays often encountered in busy emergency departments. Arrangements made by the Hospice Nurse will also bypass any unnecessary procedures (such as lab work and X-rays) considered routine in most hospitals.

Continuous Care

Description of Service:

During a medical crisis, the Patient may benefit from a brief period of continuous home nursing. Staffing is arranged as necessary to best meet the needs of the Patient. This service is most often needed during the last hours or days. In all cases, the Patient has requested to be allowed to stay in their own home if at all possible. The Patient's comfort and well-being are the primary concern.

Bereavement Support

Description of Service:

For 13 months following the death of a loved one, VNA Hospice provides support and encouragement for the family and close friends. 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 disband as the needs arise.

Additional Notes:

Call to request information or a support group to meet your needs. 1-800-286-5892.