Initial Hospice Meeting
When a referral is made to hospice, a team comprised of a Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Chaplain, Nurse Practitioner, Dietician, Home Health Aide, Community Liaison, and Patient Representative will make a visit to where the patient resides, whether at home, in a nursing facility, assisted living center or hospital room. This meeting will include the patient and family during which our staff will explain hospice services, work with the family in developing a plan of care, and get all of the necessary consents for hospice services.
A referral can be made by a physician, hospital case manager, nursing or assisted living facility, foster home or the patient and family. Once this order to assess and admit has been received, we will work quickly to admit and bring our hospice care team to your aide.
How Does Hospice Work?
Hospice care is for any person who has a life-limiting or terminal illness. Most reimbursement sources require a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients with both cancer and non-cancer illnesses are eligible to receive hospice care. All hospices consider the needs of both the patient and family when providing hospice services.
“Home” is where the patient resides whether at home, a nursing or assisted living facility or foster/personal care home. The majority of hospice patients are cared for in their own homes or the homes of a loved one.
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and when appropriate, helps make decisions for the patient. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.