One of the problems with hospice is that it is often not started soon enough. Sometimes the doctor, patient, or family member will resist hospice because he or she thinks it means you're giving up, or that there's no hope. This is not true. The hope that hospice brings is the hope of a quality life, making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness

When curing a serious illness is no longer possible, many people choose to stop curative treatment and accept palliative care. Palliative care means emphasis is placed on comfort and control of symptoms. It is not intended to prolong life. Hospice Care is provided primarily in the home, nursing home, or in an assisted living facility. The Hospice Team assists family members in caring for their loved one in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their own home whenever possible. Freedom Hospice not only focuses on the special needs of the patient, but also provides support to the families. With our team of medical professionals, Freedom Hospice recognizes that everyone is a unique individual. With the expert guidance and counseling of our Hospice Team, patients and families can make their own decisions about what is important to them. Freedom Hospice respects the decisions of the family and helps to create an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance. A patient may have hospice care provided where the patient lives. The focus of hospice is the "home," wherever it may be.

A team of professionals

In most cases, an interdisciplinary health care team manages hospice care. This means that many interacting disciplines work together to care for the patient. Doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists, and trained volunteers care for you. Each of these people offers support based on their special areas of expertise. Together, they then give you and your loved ones complete palliative care aimed at relieving symptoms and giving social emotional, and spiritual support.

Pain and Symptom control

The goal of pain and symptom control is to help you be comfortable while allowing you to stay in control of and enjoy your life. This means that side effects are managed to make sure that you are as free of pain and symptoms as possible, yet still alert enough to enjoy the people around you and make important decisions.

Spiritual Care

Hospice care also tends to your spiritual needs. Since people differ in their spiritual needs and religious beliefs, spiritual care is set up to meet your specific needs. It may include helping you to look at what death means to you, helping you say goodbye, or helping with a certain religious ceremony or ritual.

Home care and inpatient care

Although hospice care can be centered in the home, you may need to be admitted to a hospital, extended-care facility, or a hospice inpatient facility. The hospice can arrange for inpatient care and will stay involved in your care and with your family. You can go back to in-home care when you and your family are ready.

Respite care

While you are in hospice, your family and caregivers may need some time away. Hospice service may offer them a break through respite care, which is often offered in up to 5-day periods. During this time, you will be cared for either in the hospice facility or in beds that are set aside for this in nursing homes or hospitals. Families can plan a mini-vacation, go to special events, or simply get much-needed rest at h home while you are cared for in an inpatient setting.

Family communication

Through regularly scheduled IDT conferences, often led by the hospice nurse or social worker, family members can stay informed about your condition and what to expect. Family conferences also give you all a chance to share feelings, talk about expectations, and learn about death and the process of dying. Family members can find great support and stress relief through family conferences. Conferences may also be done informally on a daily basis as the nurse or nursing assistant talks with you and your caregivers during their routine visits.

Bereavement care

Bereavement is the time of mourning after a loss. The hospice care team works with surviving loved ones to help them through the grieving process. A trained volunteer, clergy member, or professional counselor provides support to survivors through visits, phone calls, and/or letter contact, as well as through support groups. The hospice team can refer family members and care-giving friends to other medical or professional care if needed. Bereavement services are often provided for about a year after the patients death.

Volunteers

Hospice volunteers play an important role in planning and giving hospice care in the United States. Volunteers may be health professionals or lay people who provide services that range from hands-on care in the hospice office or fund raising.

Long-term care facility-based hospices

Many nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have small hospice units. They may have a specially trained nursing staff to care for hospice patients, or they may make arrangements with home health agencies or independent community-based hospices to provide care. This can be a good option for patients who want hospice care but do not have primary caregivers to take care of them at home.

Coordination of care

The interdisciplinary team coordinates and supervises all care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This team is responsible for making sure that all involved services share information. This may include the inpatient facility, the home care agency, the doctor, and other community professionals, such as pharmacists, clergy, and funeral directors. You and your caregivers are encouraged to contact your hospice team if you are having a problem, any time of the day or night. Freedom Hospice always has someone on call to help you with whatever may arise. Hospice care assures you and your family that you are not alone and help can be reached at any time.   Before making a decision about the type of program that is best for you and your family, it is important to know all your options and what each requires. Your doctor, hospital social worker, or discharge planner can be very helpful in deciding which program is best for you and your family. You may contact Freedom Hospice for any additional questions as well

Freedom Hospice accepts qualifying patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. Our team will assist with finding community resources for those patients who do not meet the financial criteria.

A patient may have hospice care provided where the patient lives. The focus of hospice is the "home," wherever it may be.

Together the patient, family and physician should consider their choice for hospice care after a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. You, your primary physician or a family member acting on the patient's behalf, can initiate hospice care. It is important to remember that your physician must certify your need for hospice care and your life-limiting illness.

Freedom Hospice accepts qualifying patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. Our team will assist with finding community resources for those patients who do not meet the financial criteria.