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Are Hospices Directed By Any State Or National Organization?
No. All are independent organizations or part of larger healthcare services, as previously stated. Most states have a state-level membership group designed to serve hospices. The Florida Hospices and Palliative Care Organization is one example. At the national level hospices are assisted by the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice Association of America. Again, such organizations support but do not control individual hospices.
How Hospice Differs from Conventional Home Health Care?
Only in the sense that both provide health care services in the home. Beyond that hospice care is very different. It is palliative, not curative; and it is the only form of health care that is wholly devoted to addressing the special needs of dying persons and their families. While some home health agencies, nursing homes and others may claim to provide "hospice-like care," only true hospices can be licensed and certified for this purpose.
Hospice provides and pays 100% for all the following services under Medicare and Medicaid Benefits, as well as Tri-Care. This chart shows how Hospice is uniquely able to meet the complex needs of patients and their loved ones dealing with a life-limiting illness.
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Patient Care Services
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Home
Health
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Hospice
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High-Tech Nursing
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Yes
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Yes
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Home Health Aides/Certified Nursing Assistants
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Yes
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Yes
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Infusion Services
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Yes
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Yes
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24-hour on-call Nursing
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Yes
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Yes
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Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapy as prescribed by physician
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Yes
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Yes
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Nurses must perform “Skilled” Care during Home Visits
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Yes
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No
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Patients must be “Homebound” to receive Care
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Yes
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No
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24-hour on-call Psychosocial
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No
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Yes
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24-hour on-call Spiritual Care Assistance
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No
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Yes
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Short-term in 8-24 hour shifts providing Continuous Care during Crisis
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No
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Yes
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Social Workers/Counselors can provide unlimited visits to Patient and Family
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No
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Yes
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Pharmacy Services
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No
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Yes
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Physician Home Visits
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No
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Yes
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Durable Medical Equipment services provided at 100%
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No
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Yes
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Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Case Management Programs
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No
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Yes
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Hospital Case Management Programs
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No
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Yes
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Children’s Programs and Bereavement Camps
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No
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Yes
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Support and Bereavement Counseling for grieving families
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No
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Yes
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Non-denominational Chaplain and Spiritual Care Program
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No
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Yes
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Volunteers support Patient and Family at home, in Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility, and in Inpatient Unit.
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No
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Yes
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Hospice House residency for Patients and Families with Special Needs
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No
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Yes
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Inpatient Acute and Respite Care
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No
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Yes
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Scheduled Transportation
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Elimination of need for Law Enforcement Officials at time of Death
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No
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Yes
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Who Can Refer A Potential Patient/Family To Hospice?
Anyone. While most referrals come from physicians and various health care agencies, others, including family members, friends, business associates, or the person him/herself can refer. However, a physician's written certification and order are required before a Hospice can begin to provide treatment.
What Are The Requirements For Admission?
There are only three simple requirements. The patient must:
- Reside in our service areas, either permanently or temporarily (legal residency not required)
- Have a physician certify an estimated life expectancy of one year or less
- Have a physician orders for Hospice services
How Is Care Provided?
All services come via an interdisciplinary team. This is a team of Hospice healthcare professionals who work closely together to provide comprehensive care for both the patient and family. The Hospice team includes:
o Nurses
o Physicians
o Home Health Aides
o Social Workers
o Chaplains
o Bereavement Counselors
o Therapists
o Trained Volunteers
Upon admission, a care plan is developed with the patient and family. Any or all Hospice services are always available and can be added or discontinued as the illness progresses. Because of this, no two care plans are ever alike. Each is tailored to the individual patient's and family's needs of the moment and are adjusted as often as necessary. Plans of care may include:
How Much Does Hospice Care Cost?
Hospice serves everyone. Care is always determined by individual need, never the ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans cover most of the cost of Hospice services. Cornerstone Hospice makes its services available to all individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, and their families, without regard to age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, cost of therapy, ability to pay, or life circumstances. We do not impose any value or belief system on our patients or their families and respect the values and belief systems of our patients and their families.
What Roles Do Volunteers Play At Cornerstone?
Important ones! They are integral members of the Hospice team. All have completed a 16-hour training program and are free to become involved in whatever areas of Hospice that interest them the most. This includes patient/family service, office assistance, bereavement care, community relations, and many other activities.
What Is The Cornerstone Foundation?
The foundation is a separate, 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization within Cornerstone. Its sole purpose is to raise funds to support the Hospice organization. Money given by the community is used to provide services in the community in which it was given.
How Can I Make A Donation?
Simply click here and follow the instructions.
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