What is most interesting when this subject comes up is that they are in fact very similar. The truth of the matter is that hospice care availability is far more prevalent than palliative care. Many times palliative care is a stepping stone to Hospice. Palliative care is a healthcare team of doctors, and nurses and other professionals and includes the caregivers. It is a way of administering or overseeing most of the ongoing comfort-care patients receive. Truly the care could be administered at home but most often it is at a hospital or extended care facility or nursing home. Hospice is normally looked at a terminal or within six months of death, program Palliative care has not time restrictions and as previously stated it can be preceding hospice but not necessarily always. It is often a means for better pain control and monitoring. Hospice can be administered at a nursing home but most often it is in the patient's home or a hospice house dedicated solely to hospice patients. Palliative care is very often an adjunct or supplement to traditional care. Palliative care is most often covered by your regular medical insurance but often each items is billed separately. Hospice most often concentrates on comfort rather than pursuing aggressive treatment. The statement of Quality care and time is most often used in the Hospice setting. Pain control is paramount and achieving a level of comfort that allows the patient to deal with the practical issues of dying. Many hospice programs are covered under Medicare. Some Hospice programs have subsidized care for those that are economically disadvantaged or for those patients not covered by insurance. It is imperative you do check into the insurance aspect but of utmost importance is what are the goals for the patient in question. It is important you talk to your healthcare team and also to talk to your insurance provided and make informed choices. Often patients do not want to go into hospice as the thought is that we are giving up on them but the quality time that they gain with their families is what is a determining factor. Now, I don't feel this is a depressing subject as I used to work hospice and I can say it was very rewarding to be allowed into a family's life and to help impact the transition and make a difference. Too often families wait till a day or two before the patient passes and it is time that is lost that could shore up the holes in relationships and the comfort that can be provided and the peace that they all gain in this stage of living and dying. I hope this was helpful and as always, make it a great day! S
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
Categories |