Chris DiMaso | July 28, 2021
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” 2 Cor 1:3
Hospice and palliative care are unique services available to help empower you and your loved one during end-of-life. This article is to help you make a decision on what services you need and provide you with resources to move forward.
What is hospice?
Hospice is a unique service that focuses on patients and their caregivers who are facing advanced end-of-life illness. Hospice provides compassionate care for people in their final phase of life so they can live in peace and comfort. The guiding philosophy of hospice is to regard death as the final stage of life. It respects life without trying to postpone death. Hospice focuses on the needs of the person and alleviating the symptoms afflicting them, related to their disease process instead of aggressively trying to cure the disease. Hospice works as a holistic team to manage symptoms, so the patient’s final time is met with quality and dignity. Hospice care is family-focused and includes the patient and their loved ones when making decisions.
What does hospice do?
When a care provider deems hospice is the right course of action, the patient will choose a hospice agency that suites their needs. Often the hospital or nursing facility can help provide options if the family doesn’t already have a choice in mind. The patient will be visited by a hospice nurse for an evaluation. Two doctors must agree that the patient’s prognosis is 6 months or less to qualify for services. If a patient qualifies, they are admitted and services begin. An interdisciplinary team is assigned to the patient/family that includes: an RN Case Manager, Social Worker, Home Health Aide, bereavement coordinator and a Chaplain and volunteers if they wish. Often hospice agencies also have complementary therapies such as music therapy, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and beautician services. This team approach is overseen by a hospice medical director who will collaborate with the primary physician of the patient. A patient can choose to have the hospice medical director as their primary physician if they prefer.
Services offered in hospice care include, but are not limited to:
Who needs hospice?
Hospice is considered when you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness that will limit the length and quality of life. Speak with your care provider about all options, including hospice. Frequent reasons to consider hospice include but are not limited to late-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, AIDS, ALS, COPD and others. Patients can become eligible for hospice care services when their provider deems that the natural course of illness has a life expectancy of six months or less. It is important that comfort and care of symptom management becomes the priority, and continuing treatment of the illness is no longer beneficial. Hospice care provides a level of support that is unrivaled. An interdisciplinary team of clinicians, social workers, spiritual and grief counselors, and volunteers rally around you or your loved one to meet their needs. This can range from medical treatment and cessation of pain, to coordination of services, or making peace with family and a higher power.
“At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it’s simply comfort, respect, love.” -BJ Miller
What are the options in hospice?
End-of-life care is personal and should be tailored to meet the needs and desires of the individual. This can include everything from the level of care needed to directives of where someone wishes to pass.
Hospice vs palliative care
Hospice and palliative care address many of the same issues, but can look very different on a case-by-case basis. Hospice is intended for individuals will a life expectancy of fewer than six months, where palliative care isn’t limited to this time period. Your loved one could benefit from advanced care even if their illness is not life-limiting in the near future. End-of-life goals and symptom management are crucial in both scenarios, and it is important to meet with your healthcare provider to discuss which is appropriate for you or your loved one.
Home-based care
Depending on the resources needed, some patients choose to remain in the home at the end of their journey. This decision is closely linked to the goals of the patient, their condition, and the amount and quality of support available. It is important to note, that the hospice benefit does not include private duty care/or around the clock nursing services.
Long-term care facilities
Facilities like Villa St. Francis offer higher levels of support and can address needs on a case-by-case basis. We offer tranquil settings both in private and semi-private rooms. Our team works closely with Hospice services to ensure pain and symptom management is addressed 24 hours a day, and our nurses and CNAs are available to take care of the patient around the clock and coordinate care plans with hospice professionals who supply supplementary care. We have social workers and spiritual care on-site. Working with Villa St. Francis and a hospice service offers a comprehensive level of care.
General inpatient care
The highest level of care under hospice is called GIP- general inpatient. A patient can qualify for this if their symptoms are unmanageable in their home. GIP is considered “the ICU” of hospice. This can occur in the hospital, but most patients prefer not to return to or remain in the hospital at end of life. Villa St. Francis has a dedicated wing, called The Hospice Suites, with private rooms that can accommodate GIP level of care, with 24 hour RN support.
Who pays for hospice?
The majority of patients requiring hospice services will be eligible for Medicare Hospice Benefit, which covers up to 100% of services. You should not defer hospice due to concerns about payment or financial concerns. Medicare covers hospice as an inclusive benefit and all services related to a life limiting illness are included up to 100% by Medicare Part A. Services unrelated to the illness are covered by Parts A and B where normal rules apply.
Little known facts about hospice
What to look for in a hospice provider.
Talk to the professionals. Your doctor, nurses, and social workers are great resources when it comes to choosing a hospice provider. Also, speak with friends and neighbors for advice, it is likely they have had the experience you can draw from in making your decision. You are encouraged to interview hospice agencies to choose the one that is best for you and your family.
Consider asking some of the following questions of the hospice agencies before making a decision:
Read more about what Villa St. Francis has to offer you and your loved one during this time.
For home health providers, connecting with the right audience can be challenging in a competitive digital landscape. Families and caregivers searching for reliable services often turn to online platforms to find trusted senior care options. Free senior care listings on seniorsbluebook.com are an invaluable tool to enhance home health provider marketing, increase visibility, and attract potential clients without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will explore five key benefits of utilizing free listings and how they can transform your marketing efforts. 1. Increased Online Visibility Being listed on seniorsbluebook.com is an excellent way to highlight your business. With detailed profiles and accurate contact information, families searching for home health providers in your area can find you quickly and easily. Tip: Ensure your listing includes relevant keywords, such as "home health provider marketing," to maximize search engine optimization (SEO). 2. Build Trust and Credibility A presence on reputable senior care listing platforms establishes your business as a trusted and reliable option. Listings often allow providers to include customer reviews and testimonials, which can significantly influence the decision-making process for families. Best Practice: Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews on your listing to build credibility. 3. Cost-Effective Marketing Free listings (like the ones found on seniorsbluebook.com) provide a budget-friendly way to promote your services. Unlike paid advertising campaigns, free listings require little to no investment while delivering measurable results. This makes them an excellent choice for home health providers looking to expand their reach without overspending. Tip: Combine free listings with other marketing strategies like social media and email campaigns for maximum impact. 4. Reach a Targeted Audience Senior care listings cater specifically to families and caregivers actively searching for home health providers. This targeted audience ensures your marketing efforts are focused on reaching the right people, increasing the likelihood of generating quality leads. Tip: Keep your profile updated with accurate information about your services, specialties, and availability to attract the most relevant inquiries. 5. Position Your Business for Growth Free listings are an excellent starting point for building an online presence. They help establish a foundation for future growth, whether you are looking to expand services, explore premium listing options, or invest in advanced marketing strategies. By leveraging free listings, you position your business for sustained success in the competitive senior care market. Additional Tips for Maximizing Free Listings Add High-Quality Images: Highlight your team, facilities, or services with professional photos to make your listing more appealing. Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate terms like "home health provider marketing" to improve search rankings. Monitor and Update Regularly: Keep your listing current to reflect changes in services, contact information, or availability. Engage with Inquiries Promptly: Respond quickly to questions or messages from potential clients to build trust and increase conversion rates. Free senior care listings are a powerful and cost-effective tool for home health providers to enhance online visibility, build trust, and connect with the right audience. By taking advantage of these platforms, you can position your business for long-term growth and success. Whether you are just starting or looking to expand your reach, free listings provide an easy and effective way to stand out in the crowded senior care market. Seniors Blue Book is here to help home health providers maximize their marketing potential with free listings. Join our platform today to highlight your services, engage potential clients, and take the first step toward greater visibility and success. Visit Seniors Blue Book now to get started!
Understanding the Difference Between Home Health and Private Duty CareOne of the most common questions we receive is, Whats the difference between Home Health and Private Duty care? While both services provide essential support for individuals in need of care at home, they differ significantly in purpose, structure, and funding. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about the best care options for your loved ones.What Is Home Health Care?Home Health Care is a medical service that focuses on helping individuals recover from illness, injury, surgery, or often following a hospital stay. This type of care is typically short-term and is designed to restore or improve a patients ability to function independently.Key Characteristics of Home Health Care1. Payor Source: Home Health is usually covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. To qualify, a patient must meet specific requirements, including a qualifying event (e.g., hospital discharge or significant change in health status) and a physicians order to initiate services.2. Goal-Oriented: The primary aim of Home Health is to improve the patients condition within a defined time frame. For example, physical therapy may be provided to help regain mobility after surgery, or a nurse may assist in managing medications during recovery.3. Medical Focus: Home Health includes skilled medical services such as wound care, injections, monitoring vital signs, and therapy (physical, occupational, or speech).4. Short-Term Duration: Services typically last a few weeks to a few months depending on the patients progress and medical needs.What Is Private Duty Care?In contrast, Private Duty Care provides non-medical support that is tailored to meet the individuals daily living needs. This care is designed to enhance quality of life and allow individuals to age in place or remain safely at home for as long as possible.Key Characteristics of Private Duty Care1. Payor Source: Private Duty care is primarily funded out-of-pocket by individuals or families. In some cases, long-term care insurance may cover services, but this varies by policy.2. Flexible and Personalized: Private Duty care offers tremendous flexibility, accommodating everything from a few hours a week to 24/7 care. Services are customized to the specific needs of the client and their family.3. Non-Medical Support: Services include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, and transportation to appointments.4. Long-Term Option: Unlike Home Health, Private Duty care can be a long-term solution supporting individuals for months or years as their needs evolve.How They Work TogetherWhile Home Health and Private Duty care serve different purposes, they often complement each other. For instance, a patient may receive Home Health services after surgery to address medical needs but transition to Private Duty care for ongoing support with daily tasks once Home Health ends.Advantages of Danville Private DutyCareAt Danville Support Services, we are proud to offer high-quality Private Duty care tailored to your loved ones needs. Here are some of the unique benefits we provide:1. Bridging the Gap After Home Health: When Home Health services conclude, families may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caregiving. Our Private Duty caregivers can step in to fill this gap ensuring your loved one continues to receive the support they need.2. Peace of Mind for Families: Private Duty care allows family caregivers to take a much-needed break. Whether youre planning a vacation, attending work, or managing personal commitments, you can rest assured that your loved one is in capable hands.3. Long-Term Care Insurance: If your private duty care provider has a home health license, they may take long-term care insurance. With this payment option, the client is reimbursed for the cost of their care by their insurance provider. 4. Reduced Hospital Readmissions: With consistent care and monitoring, our services help prevent complications that could lead to hospital readmissions.5. Licensed and Insured: We adhere to the highest standards of care, ensuring all our caregivers are licensed, insured, and well-trained.6. Continuous Training for Caregivers: Our caregivers undergo regular training to stay up to date with best practices ensuring the highest level of service.7. Nursing Services Available: In addition to non-medical care, we offer nursing services for clients who require occasional medical oversight in Salt Lake City.8. Serving Multiple Locations: We proudly serve Salt Lake City, Park City, and St. George, making it convenient for families across these regions to access our care.Why Choose Private Duty Care?Private Duty care provides a holistic approach to caregiving. It not only supports the physical well-being of individuals but also enhances their emotional and social health. Our caregivers provide companionship reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness which are common among older adults.In addition, Private Duty care is an excellent resource for families. The emotional and physical demands of caregiving can be overwhelming leading to burnout. By entrusting us with caregiving responsibilities, families can focus on building meaningful relationships with their loved ones without the stress of day-to-day tasks.Customizing Care for Your Loved OneAt Danville Support Services, we recognize that every individual has unique needs. Thats why we take the time to create personalized care plans for each client. Whether your loved one requires occasional assistance or round-the-clock care, well work with you to design a solution that fits your situation. You can reach us at 801-363-1521. Contact Us TodayIf youre navigating the complexities of Home Health versus Private Duty care, were here to help. Contact Danville Support Services to learn more about how we can support your family and provide the peace of mind you deserve or danvillesupportservices.com. Check out our Sandy Location List at Danville Support Services, or call us at (801) 363-1521.
Why You Should Schedule Your Mammogram We had the chance to sit down with Dr. Joyce Alexandar-Hines, our executive director for the North Carolina PACE center, LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines and asked about her experience with breast cancer. She shared why getting the mammogram on the calendar is so important and why she believes her story is meant to help other women. In July 2023, I had my annual mammogram, and they saw something in my left breast. They said they dont think its cancer, but can you come back in six months? Dr. Joyce says of how her story began. She returned in January for another mammogram and said they needed to do an ultrasound. The lady took a while, reaching for Dr. Joyces lymph nodes as she tried to figure out what was going on. The doctor came in shortly and said they had found a cyst, and they saw something black behind the cyst. Showing the image to Dr. Joyce, she asked how big it was? They said it was very small, about 3 millimeters, saying she never would have felt it. The next step was a biopsy. Dr. Joyce called her surgeon, scheduling the biopsy for February 20. During that appointment, she recalls lying on the table and the doctor saying, I believe this is going to be a good outcome. I thought he would say I did not have cancer. The following Sunday before church an alert came over my phone letting me know there was a new test result in my records. Immediately it came up: You have ductal carcinoma in Situ. I looked at my husband, and I said, I have breast cancer. I felt numb. Something told Dr. Joyce to look at her results again and she saw that the cancer had not moved. She considers herself very fortunate. The surgeon said, It is really small, only 3 millimeters. We got this. We will remove it so you will be cancer free. Dr. Joyce scheduled her surgery for early March to remove the cancer. When she went back for her follow-up appointment, and they let her know she was cancer free. They did recommend sending her to radiation and oncology so she could understand her options. I went over there and never ever thought I would walk in the cancer center as a patient, Dr. Joyce said. They helped her learn about her cancer, saying that it was made up of nothing but hormones, offering her the option of radiation treatment or a pill to stop the hormones. Dr. Joyce proceeded with the pill and the radiation, leading to exhaustion (in part due to her being anemic). Radiation was only 5 days, 10-15 minutes each day. The week after radiation, I was so tired I could not keep my eyes open, Dr. Joyce said. She went on to say how scared she was at this time. At one time I questioned my faith and asked God why this was happening to me. It is now clear to hear that God wants her to talk to people about breast cancer and mammograms. Her staff knew she was sick and out of the office, but they did not know what was going on. So, Dr. Joyce had a meeting and shared her story. Thank God, because two of my staff members said it had been ten years since their last mammograms, and they went to get them scheduled. A similar situation happened at her church where Dr. Joyce talked about her experience and reminded women in her congregation to get mammograms. Dr. Joyce remembers giving the ultrasound technician a hard time but went on to say that she saved her life. Dr. Joyce got her a card and gift and went to visit her so she could tell her that she saved her life. My surgeon said she didnt know how the tech found it, that some of these technicians have different techniques, but somehow her technique found it. Dr. Joyce told her surgeon: No, God pointed her instrument to where it needed to be. He wanted me to be here to do more. Pictured above is Dr. Joyce ringing the bell at the cancer center after her last treatment. She mentioned she has gone back for oncology appointments to make sure she is healing and how she is doing with the pill, if any aftereffects from radiation. God felt that I needed another chance and I got that. Mammograms are important. Please, everybody. If you feel ANY type of lump, even if you had a mammogram two days ago, go back to the doctor. There are so many advances in breast treatment people are living longer and being cured. Its important to put your health as number one, Dr. Joyce advises. To find out more about the Mercy Life PACE program and the services that they provide, please call Mercy Life of Alabama at 251-287-8420.