When a patient with a life-limiting illness or condition decides that curative measures are no longer appropriate, effective or desirable, hospice care becomes a compassionate, dignified and beneficial option for end-of-life care.
Hospice care utilizes an interdisciplinary team approach drawing on the expertise of, among others, physicians, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, pastoral caregivers, social workers, ancillary health care providers, volunteers and family members to address the multidimensional aspects of care needed by the patient and family.
The patient receives care wherever he resides: in his own home, an assisted living facility or nursing home. Family and friends function as the patient’s primary caregivers. Each of our team members visit our patients on a regular basis and guides them, their caregivers and families through the process of the terminal illness or condition.
The patient’s primary care physician continues to provide care for non-hospice related conditions and also collaborates with our Medical Director and hospice team on hospice care issues. The hospice Medical Director assists in the development of the patient’s hospice plan of care and approves any changes made to the plan by the hospice team.
Hospice care is covered by Medicare and most private insurers. Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County does not bill a patient for any services not covered by these payers.
Hospice care services are available on a 24/7/365 basis. We stand side-by-side with our patients and their families during their entire stay under our hospice care.
Deciding when to call hospice is difficult, but those who have used our services often say they wish they had the benefit of hospice care earlier. Here are some questions to consider when trying to decide whether hospice is a good choice for someone with a life-limiting illness.
