Hospice
What is Hospice
Hospice care is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people who are experiencing a life-limiting or terminal illness. Hospice provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of an incurable disease or illness so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Aegis Hospice is rooted in the philosophy that patients have the right to live with dignity and without pain in the twilight of life. Our team ensures that the right balance is found to minimize symptoms and maximize function and quality of life.
Types of Hospice Care
There are four levels of hospice care that are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans. They allow the hospice program to keep the patient in the setting that best meets the needs of the patient. Some or all of these levels of care may be utilized during a patient’s hospice care.
- Routine Care: Physicians, registered nurses and other members of our professional team are on-call around the clock to assist with providing hospice care wherever the patient calls home.
- General Inpatient Care: When acute pain and chronic symptoms require more than routine care, the patient is moved to our hospice house. This short-term benefit assists to comfort the patient and family with changes in medical treatment before being released back to their home.
- Inpatient Respite Care: This service is often used to provide a break so that caregivers can participate in other family activities, such as holiday celebrations, or just to relieve a tired caregiver for a few days.
- Continuous Care: Occurs where a person resides when there is a medical crisis. During such periods, the hospice team can provide up to around-the-clock care to manage symptoms until they are controlled.
The hospice or the attending physician determines what levels of care are needed, and all types of care must be approved by the hospice before the patient may use them. Not all patients use or need all levels of care, yet all are available if they are needed.
A Team Approach
Primary Physician – facilitates and directs care
Medical Director – creates individual care plans designed for the unique needs of the patients and their loved ones
Registered Nurse – to monitor and evaluate changing patient needs
Certified Nursing Assistant – to help with personal care needs
Medical Social Worker – provides assistance and resources for legal, financial, and emotional needs
Chaplain – for spiritual support, regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations
Volunteers – for companionship and respite needs
Bereavement Support – counseling and support after the loss of a loved one
Medicare Certified
Hospice care includes many aspects of care, including palliative care and symptom control, spiritual care, and advance care planning. Aegis Hospice aims to provide compassionate hospice care to our patients and families to give them the end-of-life treatment they deserve.
As a Medicare Certified company, Aegis offers no out of pocket expenses for those with Medicare coverage. Contact us today to learn more about hospice services provided through Aegis.
Paying for Hospice Care
Medicare and Medicaid, Veterans Benefits, and Private Health Plans all offer benefits that cover expenses related to the hospice diagnosis. If you have any questions regarding hospice qualifications, call our health care professionals. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
