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.

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.