Frequently Asked Questions
When is Hospice appropriate?
Hospice care becomes an alternative when a patient has reached the last
phases of a terminal illness, and has been given a prognosis
of six months or less.The subject can be addressed at any time during the
illness, as physician and patient discuss treatment options.
When a patient chooses Hospice, the decision to give
up curative measures is made in favor of comfort care,
focusing on pain management and symptom control,
psychosocial support for both patient and family and
ancillary services that lessen the burden of illness and
caregiving.
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Should I wait for our physician to bring up the subject of
Hospice, or can I raise it first? How do I refer someone to Houston Hospice?
The decision
to choose Hospice should be made by patient and family with
the input of a physician. Open and honest discussion about treatment options
should be held throughout the course of the illness. If a patient or family feels that a physician is
reluctant to discuss Hospice care, it is always appropriate
for one or the other to approach the subject.
A referral
begins with a phone call to Houston Hospice. A caring staff member will ask important questions
about the illness, previous treatment, the attending
physician's endorsement of Hospice care, as well as
questions about the home and family situation that would
affect caregiving. A
referral can come from the family, a friend, clergy,
healthcare provider or even from the patient.
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What does the admissions process involve?
The admissions
process involves an interview with an admissions nurse to
discuss what the patient and family can expect from the
Hospice, how care is provided, services available, and
information on illness and its effects that help prepare the
family for the coming days. Medicare, Medicaid and/or other available benefits
will be discussed, although Houston Hospice never denies
treatment based on a patient's ability to pay for
services.
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Can we keep our own doctor?
Houston
Hospice encourages the continuation of a patient's primary
care physician. If this is not possible or preferred,
specially trained Hospice physicians can see the patient and
guide the care plan.
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Where is Hospice care administered?
Houston
Hospice provides the majority of its care in a patient's
home, with family and friends acting as caregivers. If there is no residence, the agency can furnish care
in nursing homes, or other types of residential facilities. If a patient requires inpatient care in order to
address severe symptoms or to provide respite for a
caregiver, Houston Hospice has contracts with hospitals
throughout its service area, allowing patients to be served
in its own Patient Care Center at the Hospice at the Texas Medical Center and in their own communities.
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How does Houston Hospice use & disclose my protected health care
information?
Houston Hospice maintains privacy protection and adhers to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). More
information on this can be found in the Notice
of Privacy Practices.
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Must we have special equipment or are there changes I have to
make in my home before Hospice care begins?
The Hospice
nurse will determine, and arrange for, medical equipment or
supplies needed to assure the comfort of the patient and
make the caregiver's job easier.
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What can we expect from the Hospice staff?
The Houston
Hospice interdisciplinary team is made up of health care
professionals and volunteers, each highly skilled and
specially trained to meet the needs of the terminally ill
and their families. The
team is headed by the Hospice physician who, together with
the patient and family, determines the plan of care. The nurse will administer the plan and becomes the
primary contact with the family. Social workers help with emotional and practical
issues, resolve conflicts, address fears, provide support,
and prompt discussion on arrangements that need to be made. Chaplains are available to help with
spiritual guidance and home health aides provide personal
care for patients. Finally, volunteers furnish a variety of
services that help ease the burden of the caregiver and
contribute to the well being of the patient.
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What if we have a problem on a weekend or holiday?
Help from the
Houston Hospice team is available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Nurses and social workers are continually
on call to address concerns by telephone, or if necessary,
with a visit.
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How can we pay for Hospice care?
Houston Hospice is a Medicare and Medicaid certified Hospice, and
has relationships with a number of managed care companies.
Unique arrangements may be negotiated to meet specific
patients needs with individual insurance case managers. No patient is ever denied services
based on his or her ability to pay. As a nonprofit organization, Houston Hospice solicits
funds from the community that allows it to return valuable
services such as the provision of un-funded care.
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