Hospice - Rest of Life Care
Many times, when people think of hospice disruptive emotions surface. Many professionals become uncomfortable when broaching the subject of hospice referral/placement to families and patients. This happens typically because the professional has not been given the tools and processes necessary to assist in making the conversation smooth. This post will provide guidance to the Clinician in identifying hospice candidates as well as broaching subject with healthcare decision maker.
Criteria for Hospice Qualification
Identify if patient meets general guidelines. If patient's condition is listed below, use drop down to see qualifying conditions.
General Guidelines
>10% weight loss over last 6 months
Decrease cognitive ability
Decreased tolerance to physical activity
Dependence in 3 of 6 ADL's
Life limiting illness with a prognosis of less than 6 months
Multiple hospitalizations or ER visits
Other comorbid conditions
Palliative Performance Scale of <60%
Alzheimer's and Dementia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Cancer
Cardiac Diseases
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
HIV/AIDS
Liver Disease
Pulmonary Disease - COPD
Renal Disease
Initiating Conversation with Decision Maker
When preparing to have conversation with decision maker regarding hospice enrollment there are several things to keep in mind.
The decision maker has a vested interest in their relationship with the patient
The decision maker has fears related to patient's health decline and death
The decision maker trusts the medical professional-initially giving benefit of the doubt until trust is lost
The decision maker is vulnerable to their own emotions which at times complicate reception of information and providing medical directives to clinicians.
The survivor/decision maker wants the best for the patient however there may be other factors weighing on the decision maker's mind. See Stages of Grief Blog Series for more information.
While the decision maker has their own challenges to face in this conversation, so does the medical professional. When sharing information about hospice the provider prepares for a difficult and potentially emotional conversation. The provider may feel a mix of emotions regarding the care of the patient and feeling uncomfortable with the intense sadness being shown by the decision maker/family. Strengthen your bedside manner with Connecting Humans Corporate Package Service Line and learn how to have conversations with decision makers that end in an accepted referral.
Typically Offered Hospice Service Lines
Routine Home Care
This is the most common type of hospice care. Routine Home Care allows the patient to remain in the comfort of their own home where they belong.
Respite Care
This level of care is utilized as a way to give families and patient's care givers time to handle personal necessities while patient is moved to an inpatient setting - typically a hospice house.
Continuous Home Care
Continuous Care is a service line that activates when the patient is having uncontrolled symptoms or is beginning to decline rapidly. More clinical resources are allocated to that patient to ensure their comfort.
General Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is reserved for when patient symptoms are too aggressive to be monitored in their home environment. The patient is admitted to a facility where clinicians and the medical team can support through symptom management.
Local Tampa Metro Hospices
Accent Care
Specialized Services Offered:
Inpatient Care
Around-the-Clock Care in a Facility Until Symptoms Subside
Typically, patients stay for a short period of time
Families may stay too while the at-home caregiver takes time to recharge
Open Access
A Program Allowing Those Receiving Treatment to Access Hospice Support Earlier
Some patients with a six-month prognosis still receiving treatment may be eligible to begin hospice services
Can act as a bridge between curative therapies and the comfort the hospice provides
Around the Clock Care
The Accentcare team visits you or your loved one at scheduled times and frequencies. When something happens outside of those scheduled visits – we have a National Call Center that you can call 24/7.
Nutritional Support
As you or your loved one’s condition changes, AccentCare’s registered dietitians can help answer any of the questions or concerns you may have about nutrition.
Music Therapy
The Accentcare team visits you or your loved one at scheduled times and frequencies. When something happens outside of those scheduled visits – we have a National Call Center that you can call 24/7.
Live Music That’s Scientifically Proven to Soothe and Comfort
Our board-certified music therapists play and sing songs by request
Can include relaxation techniques, stress relief for family and caregivers, and creative self-expression
Namaste Care
Sensory Activities to Stimulate the Senses and Promote Serenity
Activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, hand and neck massage, hydration, aromatherapy and spiritual readings
Namaste is often particularly meaning for patients with dementia
We Honor Veterans Program
A program designed to show respect and thanks to our nation’s veterans and to honor their wishes at end of life.
Developed as a collaboration between National Hospice & Palliative Care
Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Our sites are certified under the 5 levels of We Honor Veterans
Helpful Links:
Address | Phone Number
AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care - Hillsborough County
1408 N Westshore Blvd #260
Tampa, FL 33607
(855) 216-7197
Empath Health
Specialized Services Offered:
COPD Program
Patients in Empath - Tidewell’s COPD program receive individualized care plans including:
Regular visits from a specially - trained nurse. The nurse will work with you and your hospice care team to control COPD at home
Medications prescribed to control symptoms and keep you at home
Addressing symptom crises 24/7 a day with RN and medical director
Monitoring of weight, vital signs, monitoring of oxygen levels and symptom management
Advanced Cardiac Care
Empath - Tidewell’s Advanced Cardiac Care provides individualized care plans including:
Regular visits from a specially-trained nurse. The nurse will work with you and your hospice care team to control cardiac symptoms at home
Specially-designed cardiac education
Oversight from a hospice and palliative care physician
Medications prescribed to control symptoms
Additional support from Tidewell’s social workers, nursing assistants, chaplains, grief counselors, and, if requested, a volunteer
Pediatric Care and Family Support
Pain and symptom management
Integrative medical treatment and palliative arts services
Emotional, spiritual and bereavement counseling
Volunteer support
Guidance with living wills and other healthcare planning
Caregiver support
Hands-on care education and training
Siblings workshops and counseling
Access to hospice information and resources
Assistance coordinating community and financial resources
Veteran Support
When veterans are living with an illness and approaching the end of life, we are here to serve them with expert care, understanding and compassion. Our Empath Honors program supports veterans’ personal goals and needs, including any type of suffering from their time in the military or service-connected conditions. The focus is to achieve comfort and resolution for veterans so they can live and pass on peacefully. Families of veterans also receive support, guidance with healthcare decision making and connection to beneficial resources. Services include trained veteran volunteers, military service recognition ceremonies and a Recruit Level of the We Honor Veterans program.
Helpful Links:
Sam Williams, MDiv, BCC | President/CEO
Professional Crisis Support Chaplain
Connecting Humans Mobile Chaplaincy
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