Misconceptions
Will a patient have to take Morphine on hospice care?
No; there are many other medications out there to help with pain and comfort.
Is hospice covered 100% by Medicare?
Yes!
Private insurers have their own hospice coverage, but care is generally covered.
Pine Pointe is a non-profit hospice, and care is provided even if you are unable to pay.
When should someone look into Hospice?
Patient is facing a life-limiting disease, showing signs of decline and wishes of the patient.
What is Acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is the most commonly prescribed hospice medication. Known by the brand name Tylenol, it is used to reduce fever and pain. It temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to headache, backache, toothache, the common cold, and minor pain related to arthritis. While side effects are rare, serious side effects can include nausea, upper stomach pain (Common Hospice Medications, 2021).
Is Hospice for people with advanced illnesses? T or F?
True: Hospice provides symptom and pain management for patients with serious illness, no matter their age, culture, beliefs, or cause of illness (Vitas.com, 2021).
I can’t afford home health care.
If you have Medicare, it covers home health services when you meet the qualifying circumstances. These include choosing a Medicare-certified agency, having a need for skilled services and being certified as homebound by your physician.
Once you have met the qualifying circumstances, Medicare will cover the cost of your home health services. Read more about home health Medicare coverage here.
If you don’t have Medicare, most commercial insurance companies will cover some of the costs associated with home health care. Contact your insurance provider to learn more about your benefits and home health coverage.
Once You Receive Home Healthcare Services, You’ll Need it Forever.
Typically, these patients only receive care until they have recovered from their strenuous ordeal. Patients can always choose to end their home healthcare services whenever they please.
What are some life limiting diseases?
The most common disease and conditions associated with hospice care, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, are:
Other conditions include end-stage liver and kidney disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and other degenerative neurological diseases (vitas,2021).
Name 2 counties we service?
Depending on whether it is home health or hospice we service most of the middle GA are such as Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson, and Wilkinson.
I have to be bedbound to get home health care. T or F?
False:
You do have to be homebound for Medicare to reimburse for home health services. Homebound means, generally, that you normally are unable to leave your home without assistance. You do not have to be bedbound (unable to get out of bed) to receive home health care.
Once You Enter Hospice Care, You Can Never Go Back. Myth or fact?
Myth; patients can stop hospice whenever they choose.
Where is care usually provided in Hospice care?
Anywhere the patient calls home (home, skilled nursing, assisted living, etc...)
What is Hospice?
It is type of health care that focuses on terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering as well as for the family.
You can only reach out to either Home Health or Hospice during normal business hours.
False,
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year!
Hospice is a choice. T or F?
True. Hospice is a choice. Patients can leave, or “revoke their hospice status,” at any time for any reason. Patients can also come back to hospice at any time, as long as they meet hospice eligibility guidelines (Vitas.com, 2021).
Getting home health means losing my independence.
NO!
The purpose of home health care is to preserve your independence and keep you safe at home as long as possible. Your home health team will give you tips and tools and check in to see how you’re doing. They don’t do this to impede your freedom, but rather so you can continue safely managing daily tasks on your own, even after your home health services end.
What services does home health offer?
Provide skilled nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, medical social workers, certified nursing assistants.
How many types of Hospice care are there?
Four; At home, continuous care, inpatient and respite.
What is Haldol?
Also Known as Haloperidol it is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of terminal agitation and delirium.
There is a limit to how long you can be on Hospice. T or F?
False. There is no limit to the time a patient can be on hospice. Hospice is for patients who have 6 months or less to live according to a doctor, and it can be extended when needed. In surveys, family members often say, “we wish we had known about hospice sooner.” ((Vitas.com, 2021).
Do I need a doctor's referral to come on to Hospice?
NO!
One of the top facts about hospice everyone should know is that anyone can make a referral to hospice (Hospice Myths & Misconceptions: Separating Fact from Fiction, 2021).
If a family member, friend, or loved one believes a patient could benefit from hospice care, they are allowed to make a referral which will be followed by a doctor's order to qualify the patient for coverage (Hospice Myths & Misconceptions: Separating Fact from Fiction, 2021).
Home health and hospice are the same thing.
Although many home-based care companies, like Atrium, provide both home health and hospice services, they are not the same type of care.
Home health is designed to meet patients where they are and get them the type of care they need to recover from a recent medical event or change in clinical condition. The goal is to deliver comprehensive care that helps patients meet their specific health care goals.
Hospice is a philosophy of care that is more about comfort. The purpose of hospice care is to focus on and increase the quality of life for people facing a terminal illness, allowing patients to receive end-of-life care that is consistent with their wishes. This is often done through comfort measures and pain and symptom management.
What happens if a patient gets better on Hospice care?
Patients can choose to stop hospice care whenever they want.
A referral for home health can be appropriate if....
Hospitalized more than once in the past year
On a new medication or changed does of medication
Over 65 and living alone
Being discharged with "something" they did not come in with? (foley, pacemaker, defibrillator, walker, home oxygen, open wound, IV antibiotic need)
confused or forgetful
taking more than 5 medications
a newly diagnosed oncology or CVA/TIA patient
Showing a history of falls or accidents
Home health care is only for people who were recently discharged from the hospital or a rehab facility. T or F?
False!
If you qualify for home health care, you can be referred directly by your doctor, without being in a hospital or rehab facility. This is often the case for eligible individuals managing multiple chronic health conditions, as well as for those who were recently diagnosed with a serious illness or who are struggling to manage daily tasks.