ABOUT US
We know that you might feel overwhelmed right now by the importance of making this important decision. We have provided some information that will make your decision making process related to hospice easier. We trust that this information will be a resource for you and help answer your questions about hospice.
OUR IDENTITY
- Our highly qualified hospice team is available 24/7 and ready to assist the local hospitals, medical clinics and local physicians in the patient’s transition to comfort care.
- Art of Hospice Care is the only hospice in the area to offer complimentary 24/7 talk with a grief counselor anytime–Day or Night.
- You may call as many times as you feel the need to talk and can talk as long as necessary.
- This service is provided to all of our families at no additional cost and just another example of how Art of Hospice Care is dedicated to helping families heal after a loss.
HONORING AND GRIEVING SUPPORT
Through a partnership with Reflecting On Memories, families can share memories, watch a video tribute of their loved one or upload photos and movies.
We invite you to explore the new Sympathy Store with hundreds of gifts, and send a special sympathy gift to let them know you are thinking of them. If we go to this much trouble to help our patient’s families after their gone, think what we can do for them while they are still alive.
OUR DIFFERENCE
Art of Hospice Care has earned reputation of doing more than what is expected and being one of the most innovative hospices in California.
Our commitment to provide the best care possible for our patients is seen in every aspect of what we do.
REASONS WHY WE EXCEL:
- Art of Hospice Care is Joint Commission certified.
- Individualized Plans of Care for each patient.
- Art of Hospice Care has 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, on-call services. We have an expert on duty 24 hours a day that can answer your questions and help to resolve your problems.
- Art of Hospice Care physicians, nurses and staff provide services not only in the home, but also in contracted nursing home facilities and hospitals. Art of Hospice Care Administrator and Director of Patient Care Services is specialized in hospice and palliative care.
- Art of Hospice Care staff is comprised of a dedicated team of a medical director, nurses, chaplains, bereavement counselors, social workers, home health aides, volunteers, and an experienced office team. You can be assured anytime there is a need; we have the resources available to help you.
- Through our Art of Hospice Care Volunteer Program, you can help make a difference. We invite you to visit our volunteer pages or contact us today for more information. We consider our volunteers an important part of the hospice team. Volunteers come from all walks of life; students to retired individuals who wish to make a difference.
- All of our Art of Hospice Care volunteers have received extensive training that prepares them to be present for those who are terminally ill. All our volunteers are carefully interviewed and must go through a background check and then continue additional specialized training. You can rest assured that we carefully match our volunteers and hospice patients.
- Art of Hospice Care carefully screens and only selects staff members who have a proven passion and desire to go the second mile for our patients. The desire to do more can be seen in the commitment of our staff and volunteers.
- Our Spiritual Care and Bereavement Team know that no two people grieve exactly the same way, but we know that there are some common feelings to the loss of a loved one and we are ready to help. We can assure you that you are not alone on your bereavement journey and we have the resources to help you through the grieving process. You can also be assured of our commitment during this very difficult time to help and we will not let you go until you are ready. Give us a call when you need that extra support.
- Our chaplains, volunteers and bereavement staff can help you create a lasting memorial tribute to honor your loved one through our Life Story memorial tribute DVD program. These are complimentary for our hospice patients and their families. We can help you paint a picture of a life that was well-lived and well-loved.
- We can connect families and friends at a very difficult time and keep them connected through our complementary web pages for a long time. You can help us share their story. Art of Hospice Care is proud to be one of the first hospices in California to offer these complimentary professionally made cinematic DVD Life Tributes to the families to help them heal. Memories only last if they are shared.
- Art of Hospice Care is the first hospice in San Diego County to offer our families and visitors the convenience of shopping a large assortment of heartfelt memorial flowers and gifts directly on our website. You have the satisfaction of knowing that everything is covered with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We invite you to take a tour.
- Art of Hospice Care offers the services of professional grief counselors ANYTIME day or night at no charge. All our family may call a professional Grief Counselor at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- When you call the toll free number, give your special code, you are connected with a grief counselor with at least a masters level degree. You can talk as long as necessary and call as often as you need to. This service is provided at no additional cost to you compliments of Art of Hospice Care.
CONTACT US
If you are wondering when to start hospice care for yourself or a loved one, now is the time to call Art of Hospice Care. A team of experts is standing by to answer your questions.
Call: (619)756-7096
Fax: (619)487-0218
Email: info@artofhospicecare.com
Address: 7710 Balboa Ave, Suite 329, San Diego, CA 92111
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Every day, we’re inspired by the courage of our patients and their families, as well as the selflessness of the caregivers who lovingly support them. Art of Hospice Care wishes to share these personal stories of inspiration to encourage those who patients, health professionals or caregivers helping someone on their hospice journey. These stories can be stories of emotional and spiritual healing or story of a caregiver or hospice staff member who went out of their way to help a patient. We would like to share your experience here for encouragement for others who need some added inspiration and strength.
THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN HOSPICE?
Our values are more than just words! They form the heart and soul of Art of Hospice Care and are the prime reason we attract and retain dedicated high-caliber employees who believe in making a difference in the lives of those who affected by a life limiting illness.
If you are a health professional and interested in a career with Art of Hospice Care, please email your resume to career@artofhospicecare.com
FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
This set of frequently-asked questions may provide you with the answers you’re looking for. If you don’t find your question listed, please call Art of Hospice Care at (619) 756-7096 to speak with an admissions representative.
- WHEN SHOULD A PATIENT BE REFERRED TO HOSPICE?
When the patient has six months or less to live, all attempts to cure have been stopped, and the patient/family has been told of the prognosis, then the patient should be referred to hospice. It is best not to wait until death is imminent since the team will not have time to establish rapport or intervene effectively. Sometimes the patient or family members are not all accepting of the prognosis for referral to hospice to be made.
- WHAT IS THE ADMISSION PROCEDURE?
Anyone, including the patient, family member, or physician may make the initial request for service by calling (619)756-7096. The admissions RN will record the vital information and, if necessary, contact the patient’s physician for orders and permission to admit the patient to the hospice program.
- WHO PAYS FOR HOSPICE CARE?
Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance pay for the care given by the hospice team. If a patient does not have any payment source, he/she may pay all or part of the bill, personally. The important thing to remind your patients is this: no one is denied service because of an inability to pay.
- WHAT IS THE HOSPICE TEAM?
The Registered Nurse (RN) is the team leader and performs the initial assessment. The RN monitors the patient’s condition, reporting changes and problems to the physician. After the initial assessment, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) may perform many of the same tasks as the RN.
The Medical Social Worker provides psycho-social support for the patient, family and the hospice staff. The MSW also assists with community referrals and financial concerns.
The Home Health Aid provides personal care of the patient such as bathing, shampooing the hair, or changing the linens.
Chaplains are an important part of the hospice team and provide emotional and spiritual care support for the patients and their families. Chaplains come as a friend and along with the bereavement team, they can be an excellent resource for helping with funeral planning or a DVD Life Tribute.
Hospice Volunteers help patients and families, just as a friend might, by assisting with household tasks, running errands, telephoning or visiting. They are a Medicare mandated member of the team, and invaluable to the care of each and every hospice patient.
The Medical Director serves as consultant to staff and referring physicians, attends team meetings and oversees the medical aspects of the hospice program.
- WHAT IS THE ADMISSION PROCEDURE?
When the patient has six months or less to live, all attempts to cure have been stopped, and the patient/family has been told of the prognosis, then the patient should be referred to hospice. It is best not to wait until death is imminent since the team will not have time to establish rapport or intervene effectively. Sometimes the patient or family members are not all accepting of the prognosis for referral to hospice to be made.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR HOSPICE CARE?
To be admitted to the hospice program, a patient must meet the criteria noted on the Eligibility Guidelines. However, the overriding guideline is a simple one: the patient must be certified as having a life expectancy of six months or less. All definitive curative therapies must be finished.
- HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SEE SOMEONE?
An initial visit is usually made within twenty four hours of the referral. At that time, the patient’s condition and needs are assessed. The RN will explain services, discuss how other team members will be visiting and answer any questions. This time can be the same day if the family requests.
- WILL I CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENT?
The referring physician may choose to maintain control of the care of the patient. This is the most common arrangement. If the patient is to be admitted to the inpatient unit of the hospital and the referring physician does not have admitting privileges there, the medical director will take responsibility for the inpatient care and return the patient to his doctor on discharge from the hospital.
GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
Documents in which you give instructions about your health care, what you want done or not done, if you can’t speak for yourself. A living will, medical power of attorney and pre-hospital medical care directive are forms of advance directives.
Bereavement
Grieving a death. Art of Hospice Care offers grief support groups, individual counseling and a quarterly newsletter to the bereaved for 13 months following a death.
Caregivers
Family members, friends or paid staff members who provide care to a person who is ill.
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
consists primarily of two related diseases – bronchitis and emphysema. In both diseases, there is chronic obstruction of air flow through the airways and out of the lungs, and the obstruction generally is permanent and worsens over time. People often feel short of breath, especially with activity. Smoking is often the cause of COPD.
Dementia
A general term for diseases that result in impairment of language, memory, personality, behavior and judgment. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Others include Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia.
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order
A DNR is written by a doctor instructing other healthcare providers in health care institutions not to try to revive a patient whose heart stops beating or who stops breathing. The order typically is written after a discussion with the patient and/or family.
End-of-Life or Hospice Care
A team of health care professionals working together to meet the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The focus is on comfort, not curative treatment. Most patients are cared for in their own homes.
Home Health
An insurance benefit that covers skilled care for seriously ill, home bound patients who may later choose hospice services. A physician order is required for patients who need intermittent skilled services in their home. Services may include catheter or feeding tube care, wound care, intravenous fluids or antibiotics.
Hospice Team
Consists of the patient and family, physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, nurses’ aides and volunteers. Other participants may bereavement counselors.
Integrative Therapies
Soothe the spirit with massage, music, art and aromatherapy.
Not-for-Profit
An organization that channels any funds remaining after paying operating expenses back into programs and services rather than sharing profits with owners, shareholders and executives.
Palliative Care
Also known as comfort care, supportive care and symptom management. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of the disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological, social and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment.
Palliative Care Unit or Inpatient Hospice Home
For patients who need round-the-clock nursing care or a place to go while their family caregiver is taking a break.
Patient Advocates
Staff members who review the on-going satisfaction of patients receiving services.
Pre-Hospital Medical Care Directive
This directs paramedics not to attempt resuscitation measures in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. The directive is only in effect when the individual is not in a hospital. The form must be signed by the individual, witnessed, and signed by a licensed health care professional.
Respite Care
Provides a rest for family members or other people caring for the patient at home. Medicare allows the patient to go to an inpatient hospice home for up to five days, with no limit on how often.
REFER-A-PATIENT FORM
DAILY AFFIRMATIONS
These messages of hope, healing and affirmation are delivered to your email inbox every day. Subscribe easily, and unsubscribe when you’re ready. Such small doses of comfort will help you move through the cycle of grief, and work wonders for your outlook. Everyone’s bereavement journey is different and it can take a long time. you or someone you know could use a little extra encouragement. Feel free to tell a friend or add their name and email address for a little extra encouragement and extra doses of comfort during this rocky time.
LIFE STORIES
Every life has a story and Art of Hospice Care can help you tell it. Everyone deserves to be the star in the movie of their life we can make it happen at Art of Hospice Care. We’ll honor your loved one with a cinematic Hollywood style custom tribute video. We blend scenic backgrounds and music of your choice and your treasured family photos to create a one-one-a-kind biographical film that you’ll treasure for years to come.
GRIEF & HEALING
Sometimes your grief is so over whelming, you just can’t face leaving the house. In fact, you may not get out of your pajamas for days, and with our online interactive grief videos, there’s simply no need to do either as you can go to our Interactive Grief videos any time you wish. These interactive videos explore the dimensions of grief, as well as the dynamic cycle of experience.
If you are wondering when to start hospice care for yourself or a loved one, now is the time to call Art of Hospice Care.
A team of experts is standing by to answer your questions.
Call: (619)756-7096
Fax: (619)487-0218
Email: info@artofhospicecare.com
Address: 7710 Balboa Ave, Suite 329, San Diego, CA 92111