Hospice is a specialized type of care for those facing life-limiting illnesses or diseases. It addresses a patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs and of their family and/or caregiver. At New Vision Hospice & Palliative Care & Palliative Care, we offer in-home hospice care services in and around Los Angeles, CA. We work to manage our patients’ pain and other symptoms to help them to live as comfortably as possible. The quality of life is just as important as the length of their life to us. Hospice isn’t just for patients with cancer. Individuals with lung disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart disease, congestive heart failure, and other medical conditions may also need hospice care services. Hospice services includes specialized visits from our professional hospice staff to help to improve a patient’s quality of life. While we aren’t their caregiver, we can help with bathing, dressing and giving medication to our patients. Our at-home hospice service begins when a referral is made. We will contact our patient and their family within 48 hours of this referral to arrange our services.
In-Home hospice care
New Vision Hospice & Palliative Care offers both hospice and palliative care in the home. We work with a patient’s family, their doctor and/or spiritual caregivers, to address their specific needs. We believe that emotional and spiritual pain is just as real and needs just as much attention as physical pain. We will assess the patient’s needs at our first visit. We also can address any concerns or answer any questions about the hospice process. Each patient must have a primary caregiver in the home that works with our hospice team to develop a care plan. The caregiver is responsible for making decisions for the patient during our hospice care at-home service. Our team will make regular visits to the home and are also available by telephone 24/7.
Levels of Hospice Care
Level 1 is routine home care. Level 2 is continuous home care where a nurse or home health aide remains in the patient’s home for a period of time. This is reevaluated every 24 hours. Patietns with severe nausea or vomiting, unrelieved pain, shortness of breath, or lack of a caregiver all qualify for this level. Level 3 of hospice care is general inpatient care, which means that a patient’s short-term symptoms are severe and they should be treated at a facility instead of the home. Respite care is level 4 of hospice care and is more for the family than a patient. If the patient doesn’t meet criteria for continuous or inpatient care and the family needs additional help, this may be an option. A patient may be temporarily placed in an inpatient environment for up to five days.
Who is involved in the hospice process?
The hospice team can consist of the person receiving care, their family and:
- A physician
- A medical director
- Hospice nurses
- Nursing assistants
- Counselors or social workers
- Spiritual caregivers
- Speech or physical therapists, when needed
How is hospice paid for?
Most private insurers cover hospice as well as the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Medicaid benefits vary state by state however. Our financial staff can help you to understand coverage and/or any financial obligations before our care begins.
To learn more about what New Vision Hospice & Palliative Care & Palliative Care can provide you or your loved one throughout Los Angeles, CA, call us today at 1-800-988-5205.
