Concordia Visiting Nurses

Palliative and hospice care are often interpreted as being synonymous, but there are many differences between the two specialty healthcare services. Palliative care is supportive care for patients with advanced illnesses and provides treatment for symptoms even when the underlying disease cannot be cured. Anyone with a serious illness, regardless of life expectancy, can receive palliative care. The goal of a palliative care treatment plan is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families while seeking continuing treatment for the advanced illness. The palliative care treatment plan considers the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both the patient and their families. Palliative care is available for illnesses such as stroke recovery, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, heart disease, Alzheimers, dementia, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. The types of services included in a palliative treatment plan include providing comfort care, pain management, and symptom management that can address nausea, shortness of breath, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, delirium, and constipation. When the disease the palliative care plan is treating progresses to an incurable condition the palliative care team will assist the patient and their families with the coordination of hospice services. Hospice care also considers the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family; however, hospice care is offered when a cure is no longer probable. A patient with a serious illness and a life expectancy that is measured in months, not years, would qualify for hospice care. Hospice care can be provided to the patient in the comfort of their own home or in an in-patient unit setting. Concordia Visiting Nurses and Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, along with Concordia Hospice of Washington, a partnership of Concordia Community Support Services and Washington Health System, work in collaboration to serve their patients in need of palliative and hospice care.Editors Note: This article was submitted by SaraBeth Swain. SaraBeth is the HR Assistant for Concordia Visiting Nurses and may be reached by email at sswain@concordiavn.org.

Services to Help at Home Services in the home are divided into three kinds. Home Health Care. This service is provided by nurses and other medical professionals. Home Care. This service is provided by uncertified staff. Hospice Care. This service is specifically for persons with a life-limiting condition. Services are provided by nurses and other medical professionals. Home Health Care is skilled medical care to help an individual regain their health. Typically, home health care is used following a hospitalization or surgery. The role of the staff is to help home-bound patients with a complicated medical condition that can be managed or improved. A doctors order is required. Home health care is generally covered by Medicare or other health insurance. Home Care is non-medical care to help a person remain in their own home. There is no need for a doctors order. Non-medical home care includes personal care (such as bathing and toileting); dressing and undressing; fixing meals; assisting with walking; transferring in and out of a chair or bed; light housework; transportation; visiting and companionship. Non-medical care at home can be vital to keeping your parent independent and safe. Unfortunately, health insurance, including Medicare, does not cover non-medical care. If your family member has long-term care insurance, non-medical home care may be covered. Check your family members policy for details. Hospice Care is skilled medical care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. Like home health care, hospice involves visits from a team of medical professionals. Both the patient and the family have access to the teams support services. A doctor must recommend hospice based on a diagnosis of an incurable condition. In addition, the doctor must estimate that the patient has six months or less to live. Hospice care emphasizes quality of life. The focus is on keeping the patient comfortable emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. Nurses and physicians help manage difficult symptoms (pain, nausea, and fatigue). Social workers and chaplains assist with emotional and spiritual issues (anxiety and depression). Nurses aides come several times a week to bathe and groom the patient. And a volunteer is available to give family members a few hours off each week. Most people wish they had received the support of hospice earlier in their condition. Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Concordia Visiting Nurses. They may be reached at 877-752-6200.