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Questions to Ask a Hospice Provider

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Choosing a hospice provider is one of the most important decisions you will make during your or your loved one’s end-of-life. The right provider will ensure as much comfort, dignity and agency as possible for your loved one during their final months, maximizing the quality moments spent with family and friends. To help you choose a hospice that is a good fit for your needs, here are some questions you should ask during your consultation.

Questions to Ask

  1. “Can you provide support in my loved one’s primary language?” Los Angeles is a diverse community. Being able to communicate quickly and easily in your loved one’s primary language is essential to providing the best care. At Journey Palliative and Hospice, the majority of our team members speak two or more languages.
  2. “What will you do to respect my loved one’s beliefs?” Every person has unique individual and cultural beliefs about what happens after death, and how best to prepare for that transition. Make sure that the hospice you are planning to work with will show the deepest respect and support for your loved one’s cherished beliefs, and be able to provide suitable spiritual counsel.
  3. “How do you ensure that my loved one’s agency is preserved?” Far too often, those who are in the end-of-life stage end up losing their autonomy. While some of this is the direct result of disease, it can be compounded by careless caregivers. Do not just ask a hospice if they will honor your loved one’s wishes, but how they will do so. Get specific details, especially in a case where the patient’s agency is severely restricted by their condition.
  4. “What role will our family play in working with your team?” When you enter your loved one into hospice, a multidisciplinary team collaborates with family members to provide the most effective and respectful care. Ask what specific role you will play and how the team will work with you to ensure your loved one’s needs are met.
  5. “Can you meet our specific needs?” By the time you are evaluating hospices, you should have a list of specific physical, emotional and spiritual needs for your loved one and your family. Go over each item in your list to check if the hospice can provide the care you require.
  6. “How quickly can you reach my loved one’s home?” One more question that is smart to ask is how long it will take the hospice to send emergency workers to your loved one’s home in a crisis.

Get Compassionate Hospice Care for Your Loved One

When you contact Journey Palliative and Hospice in Burbank, we will take as much time as needed to answer all of your questions in detail. To learn what we can do to help your loved one and family during this challenging time, please call (818) 748-3427 to schedule your consultation. We can serve you in Kern County, LA County, Ventura County or Orange County.  

4 Common Misconceptions About Hospice Care

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Many people know that hospice is a service that can increase comfort and help manage symptoms during the end-of-life period. But there are a lot of common misconceptions about hospice care. Below, we dispel some of these myths so you can better understand the role of hospice.

Misconception About Hospice Care

Hospice is a place. Fact: The term “hospice” does not refer to a location. It refers to a set of services provided by a multidisciplinary team to the patient and their family. In fact, the majority of hospice care takes place at the patient’s residence. Some care takes place at an in-patient facility, as needed.

You cannot afford hospice. Fact: If a patient qualifies for Medicare, their Medicare benefits will cover hospice. So, for many patients, hospice care is actually free. Medicaid, private insurance, and other payment options are also accepted.

Hospice lasts only a few weeks or months. A patient becomes eligible for hospice care when they have a terminal diagnosis with a six-month life expectancy. Hospice can last considerably longer than a few weeks.  If the patient lives longer than six months, hospice can be renewed as well.

 A patient entering hospice is giving up. A patient who enters hospice care is no longer trying to cure their terminal condition. But that does not mean they are giving up on living. In fact, many hospice patients choose to begin hospice in part so that they can squeeze more living into the time they have left. Being able to receive palliative care, physical therapy, counseling and other forms of support can help hospice patients to improve quality of life and spend more time with their loved ones. Sometimes we even see a temporary improvement in a patient’s condition due to the benefits of hospice.

Get Answers to Your Questions About Hospice Care

When you schedule a consultation with Journey Palliative and Hospice, we take as much time as needed to answer all of your questions about what to expect from hospice. To find out how we can help you or your loved one, please call (818) 748-3427.

Tips For Choosing a Hospice in Burbank

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When your loved one needs more support than you can provide, choosing a hospice is one of the most important decisions you will make.

In this post, we will go over some things you need to think about when you are choosing a hospice in Burbank so you can find caring providers who will treat your loved one with the utmost compassion at the end of life.

6 Tips For Choosing A Hospice

  1. Check the area of service. As much as possible, hospice care is provided at the patient’s residence so they can stay in the environment where they feel at home. Make sure that the hospice can send healthcare workers quickly to your loved one’s location if the need is urgent.
  2. Look up the hospice’s background. Research the year the hospice opened, the background of the company, and the experience and ratings for the individual physicians and nurses. Look up the licensing and certification for the hospice as well.
  3. Find out how payments work. Make sure that you are selecting a hospice that accepts your coverage. Find out how long you will have to pay out-of-pocket expenses as well to make sure the hospice will fit within your budget.
  4. Check into speciality care. If your loved one requires physicians and nurses with a particular medical specialization, search for a hospice that can offer that specialized care.
  5. Pick a Burbank hospice that offers holistic care. The care your loved one needs at the end of life encompasses not just the body, but also the mind and the spirit. A hospice that offers counseling, companionship and chaplain services can provide support on every level. Your hospice also should support your family with grief counseling, social work services and more.
  6. Choose a hospice in California that respects your loved one’s wishes and dignity. Finally, one of the most challenging aspects of approaching the end of life is retaining agency and autonomy. Your hospice should work hard to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are understood, respected, and carried out.

Get Your Loved One Compassionate Hospice Care in Burbank

Journey Palliative and Hospice puts patient wishes first, and provides compassionate support to your loved one and your family. We serve the entire Burbank area and help the patient spend as much time as possible at home where they feel most comfortable.

To find out how we can help, please give us a call now at (818) 748-3427 to schedule your consultation.

Discovering the Benefits of Hospice Care for Dementia Sufferers

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Do you ever wonder how your loved one with dementia will be cared for in its final stages? As we know, dementia is a progressive disease that can eventually lead to the end of life. That’s where hospice care near me comes in. Hospice care provides specialized care to patients with serious illnesses, such as dementia, with a focus on comfort and quality of life. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of hospice care for dementia sufferers.

Hospice care is tailored to the specific needs of each patient. When it comes to dementia care in Los Angeles, hospice care can provide a variety of services, such as pain management, emotional support, spiritual care, and assistance with daily activities. Hospice care providers are trained to recognize the unique needs of patients with dementia, including communication difficulties and behavioral changes.

Here are three key ways in which hospice care can support patients with dementia:

Managing symptoms:

As dementia progresses, patients may experience pain, discomfort, and other symptoms that can be difficult to manage. Hospice care can provide specialized medical care to help manage these symptoms, allowing patients to be more comfortable and have a better quality of life.

Providing emotional support:

Dementia can be a challenging and emotional journey for patients and their families. Hospice care providers are trained to provide emotional support to patients and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of dementia with compassion and understanding.

Focusing on the quality of life:

Hospice care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients, even in the face of a serious illness like dementia. Hospice care providers work to ensure that patients are able to engage in activities they enjoy, spend time with loved ones, and live with dignity and respect.

As dementia progresses, patients may require additional care and support. In some cases, patients may develop heart failure in Ventura County or other serious medical conditions. Hospice care can provide specialized medical care and support to help manage these conditions, allowing patients to be as comfortable and supported as possible.

Getting Started with Hospice Care

Hospice care plays a crucial role in supporting patients with dementia and their families. If you’re in Los Angeles or Ventura County and are looking for compassionate and personalized hospice care for your loved one with dementia, consider contacting Journey Palliative and Hospice. Our team of hospice care providers is trained to provide expert care and support to patients and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of dementia with compassion, respect, and understanding.

Why is Hospice Care Essential for Alzheimer’s Patients?

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When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it can be a difficult time for both the patient and their family. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that affects memory, cognitive function, and behavior. As the disease progresses, it can become challenging to manage the patient’s care and provide them with the necessary support. This is where hospice care becomes essential.

Here are seven reasons why Burbank hospice care is essential for Alzheimer’s patients:

  1. Comfort and Dignity: Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and dignity to the patient, which is especially important for Alzheimer’s patients who may experience pain and discomfort.
  2. Pain Management: Alzheimer’s patients may experience pain due to complications related to the disease. Hospice care provides specialized pain management in Ventura County to ensure that the patient is comfortable and pain-free.
  3. Emotional Support: Hospice care also provides emotional support to both the patient and their family members. Caregivers are trained to provide support and guidance to help families cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
  4. Personalized Care: This type of care is personalized to meet the unique needs of each patient. Caregivers work closely with the patient’s family and medical team to develop a care plan that meets the patient’s needs.
  5. Peace of Mind: This care type can provide peace of mind to family members who may be struggling to care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Hospice care can provide respite care for family members, allowing them to take a break and focus on their own well-being.
  6. Improved quality of life: It aims to improve the overall quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients by providing personalized care, emotional support, and symptom management. This can lead to increased comfort, peace of mind, and a greater sense of dignity for patients.
  7. Family support: Hospice care also provides support for the family and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. This can include counseling, education, and assistance with practical matters such as arranging for medical equipment or medications. By taking some of the burdens off of family members, hospice care can help them better cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Wrap Up:

Alzheimer’s patients require specialized care, and hospice care provides a comprehensive approach to managing the disease. Hospice care can help alleviate pain, provide emotional support, and ensure that the patient is comfortable and dignified. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is essential to consider hospice care as part of your care plan.

At Journey Palliative and Hospice, we provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s patients. Our team of caregivers is trained to provide compassionate care and support to both the patient and their family members. We understand the challenges that come with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and are here to help. Contact us to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care in Kern County. Let us help you on this journey!

See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

Journey Palliative and Hospice
Journey Palliative and Hospice
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Vicky E.
Vicky E.
00:01 24 Aug 23
There are no words for how wonderful Journey Palliative and Hospice was for my mom and our family. Our Hospice nurse, Ovsanna, was incredibly kind and caring and careful with mom, who was 100. With patience and care, she shared with us the process of passing and was so giving of her time as mom moved through these stages. Ovsanna was available for us 24/7 and would come anytime mom/we needed. She was aware of the comfort my mom would need and was there for her. Her kindness and understanding brought comfort to us as well. We felt completely supported, even after mom's passing. I would recommend this company with wholehearted sincerity for the best care your loved one could receive.
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