Name: Journey Palliative and Hospice
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How Do You Access VA Hospice Benefits?

May 2, 2024 by Journey Palliative and Hospice

Did you know that one of the ways you can pay for hospice is through VA benefits? In this post, we will explain how veterans can access these benefits and begin hospice care. Accessing VA benefits is simpler and more straightforward than you would think, especially with our helpful team on your side.

How to Access VA End-of-Life Care Benefits

The first step to accessing VA hospice benefits is to qualify and enroll with the VA. If you are already enrolled in the VA, then you can skip that step. If you are not enrolled, then you need to take care of that before you proceed to access your benefits.

Once you are enrolled in the VA, you can access your benefits by reaching out to the VA itself. If you prefer, we can handle this step for you.

As with any other way of accessing hospice, VA end-of-life care is voluntary. You can start if you have a terminal diagnosis with an estimated six month life expectancy, and you can stop any time. If you do stop, you can return to hospice later if you still have a qualifying diagnosis.

Get Help Accessing Your VA Hospice Benefits

When you or a loved one needs end-of-life care, wading through the process of accessing VA benefits may be hard to juggle with the rest of your responsibilities. Journey Palliative and Hospice has helped many veterans in Burbank and throughout the surrounding region to access their VA end-of-life benefits quickly and easily.

If you are ready to get started, please give us a call at (818) 748-3427. We can answer your questions about VA hospice care in detail, or help you access your benefits so you or your loved one can transition into hospice care.

4 Ways We Provide Specialized Support to Veteran Patients

April 2, 2024 by Journey Palliative and Hospice

At Journey Palliative and Hospice, many of our patients are veterans, receiving hospice care as part of their VA benefits. The time we have spent treating and supporting our veteran patients has given us specialized expertise and the ability to offer superior care. Below are some of the ways in which we can provide focused support to veterans in hospice.

Specialized management of conditions contracted during service. Regardless of the condition for which a veteran patient has received a terminal diagnosis, there is a chance that patient suffers from old injuries or other conditions that were contracted during the course of duty. Those conditions may or may not be related to the terminal diagnosis, but they require care. We provide palliative care as well as physical therapy and other treatments to help manage these conditions sustained during service.
Psychological and emotional care. Many of the wounds that haunt retired service members are invisible to the eye. Our team has experience working with veterans who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral injury, and other adverse psychological effects from their time in the military. We work just as hard to provide emotional support to our veteran hospice patients as we do physical relief.
Support groups offering connections to other veterans. Along with counseling services, Journey can help patients to connect with one another through veteran-focused support groups. Being able to share with others who can relate to intense combat experiences is sometimes the balm that is needed for psychological wounds.
Counseling for loved ones. Even if you have supported your loved one for many years, you may struggle yourself both with the grief of bereavement, and with some of the specific challenges involved with going through this time when your loved one is a veteran. Especially if the terminal condition is linked to a condition sustained through service, or is worsening it, a lot of painful old memories can surge back up. We can offer you recommendations and advice for how best to support your loved one as they confront their traumas.

Find Out How We Can Help You or Your Loved One

Journey Palliative and Hospice is devoted to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to those who have served our country. To learn how we can support you or your loved one, please give us a call at (818) 748-3427.

Does the VA Cover Hospice Care?

February 27, 2024 by Journey Palliative and Hospice

If you or your loved one is a veteran in need of end-of-life care, you may be wondering whether Veterans Affairs (VA) covers hospice care. Yes, hospice care is among VA benefits. In this post, we will go over the basics of hospice for veterans so you know what to expect.

What to Know About Veteran Hospice Care

VA benefits are one of the options for paying for hospice care. You or your loved one may be eligible for VA hospice care if you or they are:

A veteran enrolled in VA benefits.
Diagnosed with a terminal condition with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

To be deemed eligible for hospice the patient must be at the last stage of their terminal illness, making treatments aimed at curing the condition futile. During hospice care the goal is aggressive symptoms management and comfort care, aimed at maintaining the patient’s quality of life.

VA covers 100% of the costs of hospice. That means that there are no out-of-pocket expenses to receive hospice for veterans.

Our Veteran Hospice Services

Journey Palliative and Hospice provides VA hospice care to our nation’s veterans. Services include:

All four levels of hospice, including routine home care (which comprises the majority of hospice care), general inpatient care, continuous home care and respite care.
At-home care, whether home is a house, apartment, nursing home, assisted living facility, or other environment.
A multi-disciplinary approach, including palliative care, physical therapy, and other types of care that help alleviate symptoms while supporting autonomy and overall wellbeing.
Grief counseling and spiritual care for the patient and their family.
All necessary medications and equipment.
A simple and straightforward admissions process. We are used to navigating the VA system, and can walk you through it step-by-step.

The team at Journey Palliative and Hospice has specialized expertise in providing care to veterans. Your loved one’s terminal diagnosis may or may not be connected with past wounds or conditions sustained during service. We know that in either case, those wounds and conditions also require care.

In addition, our team members have experience caring for patients who suffer from the psychological and spiritual effects that can accompany military service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Get the Compassionate Care You or Your Loved One Needs

The end-of-life is a challenging time for patients and their loved ones. But you are not alone during these final months. VA benefits cover the cost of hospice care for veterans, and the compassionate professionals at Journey Palliative and Hospice are here to support veterans and their caregivers.

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

Does Hospice Support Continue After a Patient Dies?

January 25, 2024 by Journey Palliative and Hospice

If you are new to hospice, you might think that hospice care ends when the patient dies. While care for the patient ends at that time, hospice itself does not end. The patient’s surviving family members may continue to receive bereavement support for up to 12 months. Like the rest of hospice services, this benefit is covered by Medicare.

What Types of Bereavement Care are Available Through Hospice?

Here are some of the bereavement support services hospice can provide:

Grief counseling
Support groups
Educational resources
Memorial services
Referrals for additional services outside of hospice

It is up to each individual family member which of these services they wish to avail themselves of, and how much they want to use them. Some family members may find some services more useful than others. One person might get more out of one-on-one counseling, while another might find support groups more beneficial, for example. The diverse range of resources and care ensures that everyone can access what they need.

Bereavement Support is Also Available While the Patient is Alive

While we are discussing bereavement care, it is important to note that you can use these hospice support services while your loved one is still alive as well.

When a death is not sudden, the grieving process does not begin at the moment of death. It may begin months or even years beforehand as you start to process what is to come. For many, anticipation of loss can be every bit as challenging emotionally as the eventual loss itself.

For that reason, you can begin grief counseling or make use of our other resources as soon as your loved one enters hospice.

The patient can also receive counseling during their time in hospice to help them process their emotions as they grieve the impending loss of their own life.

We Can Support You and Your Loved Ones Through This Time

Hospice care is for the entire family—the patient and their loved ones. Journey Palliative and Hospice is here to support all of you from the moment the patient enters hospice. For up to a year after your loved one dies, you are entitled to continuing bereavement support from our caring counselors. To learn more, please contact us at (818) 748-3427. We are based in Burbank and serve the surrounding area.

Situations Where Reporting Changes to Your Hospice Team is Extra Important

January 5, 2024 by Journey Palliative and Hospice

Whether you are a patient in hospice, or you are a caretaker for a hospice patient, one of the ongoing challenges of care is knowing when to report changes in health.

It is better to err on the side of over-reporting than under-reporting. But realistically, as a caretaker, you know you may not be able to report every single concern you or your loved one has (especially if either of you are anxiety-prone).

Below are some situations where it is extra important to report changes to your hospice team. These are not the only situations where you should, but they are ones that warrant extra care and concern.

New or unusual symptoms. If there are brand new symptoms, or symptoms that seem unusual, it is wise to report them to your hospice team. You should do so even if they seem mild; leave it to trained medical professionals to sort out whether they are significant, rather than attempting to do so yourself.
Severe symptoms. Whether symptoms are new or old, if they are severe, then you should contact your hospice team. At the very least, they can provide palliative care. But they also can check whether the increased severity points towards the underlying condition worsening or new complications.
Symptoms that do not resolve. If new symptoms do not resolve, or if symptoms that normally resolve are lasting longer than usual, that is also a scenario where you should contact your hospice team.
When your loved one asks you to. If the patient is your loved one, there may be times when they draw your attention to a particular symptom with concern. Maybe the symptom does not seem especially concerning to you, but it is troubling them. We all know our own bodies best, so your loved one’s intuition is worth listening to. Ask your hospice team to check into the symptom.
When your gut tells you to. Likewise, your own intuition deserves your respect. As your loved one’s caretaker, you are one of the people who spends the most time with them. You have observed them and their condition closely for a long time now. So, if you feel something is wrong, even if you are tempted to dismiss it as seemingly trivial, it is best to contact your hospice team.
When it is something the hospice team has told you to report. You will spend a lot of time coordinating with the hospice team to provide the best care for your loved one. During that time, the doctors and other medical staff who work with your loved one will advise you as to specific symptoms or signs you should be on the lookout for and report. If you notice anything they have brought to your attention, you should contact them right away. Also, you can take a proactive approach and ask on a regular basis what you should be looking out for.
When in doubt. Finally, if you are in doubt as to whether you should report something to your hospice team or not, it is always best to go ahead and report it. It is better to have a false alert than to miss something critical.

Receive Compassionate, Dedicated Hospice Care in Burbank

At Journey Palliative and Hospice, we work hard to communicate clearly with patients and caregivers, and can answer your questions about what to monitor and report to your hospice team. To find out how we can help your loved one, please give us a call today at (818) 748-3427.

See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

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Serine K.

5 days ago

Our family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care and compassion provided by Journey Palliative hospice team during my father-in-law’s final days. From the very beginning, they were always there for us 24/7 responding quickly to every request and ensuring that all of his needs were met with professionalism and kindness. A special thank you to Ovsanna, RN whose knowledge, expertise, and dedication to patient care were truly remarkable. She handled every situation with confidence, compassion, and professionalism, providing guidance and reassurance to our family during an incredibly difficult time. The continuous care provided by the experienced and professional nursing staff was an enormous source of comfort and support. Knowing that skilled and caring nurses were by his side gave us peace of mind and allowed us to focus on spending precious time with our loved one. Throughout this journey, the entire hospice team showed genuine understanding, empathy, and respect. They treated our father-in-law with dignity and cared for our family as if we were their own. Their support made an immeasurable difference during one of the most challenging times of our lives. We cannot thank them enough for their outstanding service, compassion, and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional end-of-life care. We highly recommend Journey Palliative and Hospice services to any family in need of professional, caring, and trustworthy support and will definitely consider working with them in the future if any of our family member may need hospice services and care.

Zahira I.

4 months ago

We are incredibly grateful for the hospice team and the care they provided during such a difficult time. Everyone was kind, informative, and truly supportive every step of the way. They truly made the process feel less overwhelming. We also deeply appreciate the delivery drivers who would come late at night to make sure we had the medications we needed, their dedication truly meant so much to us. We couldn’t have asked for better care and are so thankful for everything they did for us.

Adrine K.

5 months ago

We are deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support this hospice team provided to my late father. During an incredibly difficult time for our family, they treated him with dignity, kindness, and genuine respect. Nurse Ovsanna, in particular, made an extraordinary difference through her gentle presence, unwavering compassion, and genuine dedication. She cared for my father as if he were her own, offering comfort, reassurance, and heartfelt kindness when we needed it most. The staff was attentive, patient, and always available to answer questions or offer comfort—not only to my father, but to our entire family. Their guidance helped ease our worries and allowed us to focus on spending meaningful time together. We will never forget the warmth, professionalism, and empathy they showed, and we truly appreciate everything they did for our father in his final days.

Martiros S.

Journey Palliative and Hospice came into our lives during one of the hardest seasons we have ever faced, and they truly felt like a blessing. From the moment they began caring for my mother, it was clear that she was in loving, compassionate hands. She was in their care for quite some time, and throughout that journey, the entire hospice team showed extraordinary kindness—not only to my mother, but to our whole family. My mother was treated with unwavering dignity, respect, and genuine love. Every interaction reflected how deeply they cared for her comfort, her peace, and her humanity. They tended to her physical needs with professionalism and urgency, while also surrounding our family with emotional support, patience, and understanding. They listened to us, reassured us, and walked beside us through every painful step. During a time filled with uncertainty and heartache, their compassion and empathy brought us comfort and strength. The difference they made in our lives is immeasurable, and we will always be grateful for the care they gave my mother and the kindness they showed our family. We wholeheartedly recommend Journey Palliative and Hospice to any family seeking truly compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care.

Sharon

7 months ago

I really cannot imagine how I would have gotten through the last chapter of my mother's live as her 24/7 caretaker without the kind wisdom, and steadying...

Rosio A.

8 months ago

I am so very grateful to Journey Palliative and Hospice care for the amazing care they gave my sister. They came to our home and provided everything she...

chris M.

2 years ago

I had an amazing tour and discussion about the features and services at Journey Palliative Hospice. I found thier staff to be very attentive and caring to the patients while I was there

Pam R.

My Mom was under their care for a month. They are the most kind caring people. They knew just what to do at all stages. It was a very difficult time but they help me get through it every moment. Thank you so much .

Armen M.

I cannot say enough good things about the staff. They felt like a part of our family in this difficult time. Caring, supportive, professional, full of genuine empathy. Our whole family is very grateful for everything you did. You went above and beyond what anyone could expect of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Sabrina A.

I can’t say enough good things about Journey Palliative and Hospice. From the moment we started with them, the staff went above and beyond to make sure my loved one was comfortable and well-cared for. Everyone was so kind and compassionate, and it really made a tough time a little easier for our family. The caregivers were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable, and I always felt like they treated us with the utmost respect and care. They took the time to explain everything, and their support meant the world to us. I’m so grateful for their dedication and the warm, loving environment they provided. It truly felt like we were in safe, trustworthy hands every step of the way.

Love P.

I cannot say enough good things about Journey Palliative and Hospice. The team at this facility is truly compassionate, professional, and dedicated to providing the highest level of care. From the moment we reached out, they were incredibly responsive and supportive, offering not only medical assistance but also emotional support during a difficult time. The staff is kind, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure the comfort and dignity of our loved one. They were always available to answer questions, provide updates, and make us feel involved in the care process. The atmosphere at Journey is peaceful, and they really take the time to make sure that both patients and their families feel supported. If you are looking for a hospice that truly cares, I highly recommend Journey Palliative and Hospice. They are a blessing during the most challenging times.

kenpearl

Having a loved one enter hospice care is a difficult time. Ovsanna and everyone else at Journey were the kindest, most compassionate people in our time of great need. Handled everything, down to the smallest detail, quickly and efficiently. Knew all the things that were required, all the steps to get things done and got them done fast. Highly recommended.

Vicky E.

3 years ago

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...