CONSEQUENCES OF CHOOSING THE WRONG HOSPICE

One of the biggest fears of terminal patients’ family members is that their loved ones will suffer when they pass away. Unfortunately, that can be one of the consequences of selecting the wrong hospice. There’s a lot that should go into a hospice patient’s care plan. This is especially true when it comes to medication coordination and pain management because each patient is unique. Sometimes a patient may be coming right out of the hospital where quality and peaceful care may not have been an option. However, the right hospice provider will take the time to understand the patient’s needs to elevate their quality of life.

Another risk you take in hiring the wrong hospice care is not having enough support from medical staff when you and your loved one need it. How frequently your loved one is seen and attended to by doctors and nurses plays a big part in his or her comfort and the quality of their care. The last thing that you want is personal needs such as hygiene and medication administration to be drawn out too long between visits as these things will affect their quality of life.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOSPICE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

To avoid the unfortunate consequences of choosing the wrong hospice, there are some things to consider and some questions to ask that will ensure your loved one receives the best possible end-of-life care.

• Is the hospice Medicare certified? If your loved one is a Medicare beneficiary, this is crucial.

• Is it accredited and state-licensed (if required)? Accreditation isn’t a requirement for hospices, but if it has one, then you know that it has been looked aby a third-party and has met their standards.

• What are others’ impressions of the hospice? Ask other doctors, nurses, friends, and relatives who are familiar with hospice care if they have any knowledge or recommendation about the hospice you are looking at.

• Are there any limits on treatments available? Is there any specific type of care or treatment that your loved one needs that is not offered?

• Do they meet your family’s specific needs? If you or your loved one has specific needs, make sure that the hospice can meet them.

• What is their crisis response time? If you have an emergency in the middle of the night, knowing how long it will take for someone to get there is important.

• What are their inpatient and respite care options? See if inpatient care is available for your loved one and respite care for you if you need some time to unwind.

• Who will care for your loved one and how often? Is that adaptable if circumstances change? Know who the doctors, nurses, and volunteers are and how often they will see your loved one. Also find out if the schedule is changeable if you need them more.

• How do you feel when talking with hospice staff? Trust your gut feeling when you evaluate the levels of compassion and caring the staff provides. Your impression here is paramount as your loved one will likely feel the same while receiving care.

For more information on how to select the best care for your loved one, download our home hospice care guide or contact us online.