So you or your loved one has decided to enroll in hospice care. You want physical symptoms managed properly and to continue enjoying life on it’s own terms with your family and friends. The most commonly asked question is, what comes next?
The first action needed after deciding on hospice care is to get a physical examination with your physician or medical practitioner. They are simply going to certify for the hospice administration that you are suffering from a life limiting illness with a prognosis or six months or less. No invasive testing or major procedures are needed, and you may usually see your regular PCP or specialist for this visit. On the same or more convenient date as your physical exam, you or your doctor can make the referral to be seen by a hospice care intake professional.
At this point, the hospice admissions nurse will come in and complete an advisory interview and exam with the patient and their family, if they so choose. This is the point where you can discuss direct care planning and directives. This is also the time where the patient and the family can decide how they would like to be cared for and create a plan of action for their new hospice care team.
This plan of action or treatment will involve multiple levels of care from physical and emotional to spiritual and bereavement services for the family. To start, the admissions nurse will ask about your current symptoms and how they are being managed. If medication for symptom management and a good level of over-all care can be provided in the current living situation, they will set up routine at home schedule for for basic needs (bathing, cooking, exercise, etc.) as well as pain relief and other managed needs. If living at home is no longer and option, they can provide you with nursing homes or assisted living community options to which they can also service out of. If the symptoms are overwhelming in the beginning, they may be able to assist in admission to inpatient treatment until all medical conditions and symptoms are stabilized. The nurse will also advise you on respite care, which is given in case the patient’s caretaker may need to leave to attend to family or health.
Once the nurse has created a care plan individual to your physical needs, they will ask you if you have a preference for spiritual or religious care from a chaplain, rabbi, or other religious leader. If not, they can continue to care for you emotional from services like professional therapy and grief counseling. Many of these services are offered around-the-clock and can be requested at anytime. Close family members may also attend counseling sessions or ask for these services as the hospice care continues. These are just some of the services that will be available and offered to you or your family should you choose to begin hospice care. Many hospices may host theme nights or offer other adventures and special events like birthday parties, outdoor activities, etc. This method of combining physical, the emotional, and the spiritual care specific to each patient is what makes hospice care unique.
If you have any questions about hospice care or are interested in obtaining a referral, we are available to help here via email, call, or through our patient submission form. Let us help you add more life to your days.
