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.
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.
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:
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
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Family members, friends or paid staff members who provide care to a person who is ill.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Consists of the patient and family, physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, nurses’ aides and volunteers. Other participants may bereavement counselors.
Soothe the spirit with massage, music, art and aromatherapy.
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.
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.
For patients who need round-the-clock nursing care or a place to go while their family caregiver is taking a break.
Staff members who review the on-going satisfaction of patients receiving services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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