Untitled Document

INFO | HOSPICE MYTHS | RECOMMENDED READING | EDUCATION SHEETS

HOSPICE ELIGIBILITY
A hospice patient must have a physician verified terminal illness with a prognosis six months or less. The patient must no longer be receiving curative treatments. We receive referrals from physicians, social workers, case managers, clergy and family members. An order from your physician for hospice services is necessary. Medicare, Medicare HMO's, Medicaid and most private insurance companies cover hospice.

HOSPICE SERVICES
All patients receive:
-Private consultation at home or hospital
-Medical supplies and equipment
-Pain and symptom management
-Social worker visits for counseling and psychosocial support
-Individual and group bereavement support for families
-Spiritual support for patient and family

Home Based patient Services:
Registered Nurse visits , 24 hour on call nurse, certified nursing assistant visits to assist personal care needs; instruction and education in patient care for the caregiver. Home based services can also be provided in the nursing home environment or assisted living.

Inpatient Services:
24 Hour Nursing Care; Home-like environment; Patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES
As part of our mission to provide support and comfort during this difficult time, we also offer bereavement services to family members before, during, and after the patient's death. We respect and honor the feelings associated with losing a loved one and are there to listen, encourage, or simply be there for families who need support. There are no fees for bereavement services and they are offered for at least 13 months after the patient's death.

Services Offered:

Counseling - Talking with a professional about the feelings of grief and loss you are experiencing is an important path to eventual healing. Individual and family counseling sessions are offered to help you through this difficult time.

Support Group - Grief can be very lonely and you may feel like you are by yourself with your feelings of loss and separation. Spending time with others who have experienced loss can be very comforting to those who feel alone. Our support groups meet at 4:30 on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at our Elmwood location.

Regular Phone and Mail Contact - The first year after the death is the hardest for bereaved persons to get through. Canon Hospice is there with regular phone and mail contact to support you through this difficult time. We mail educational information about grief along with supportive cards and letters. We also call periodically throughout the year to provide encouragement and give you an opportunity to express your feelings.

Celebration of Life - Periodically, Canon Hospice holds a "Celebration of Life" for our patients who have died. It is our opportunity to honor your loved one and express gratitude for allowing us into your lives.

Camp Swan - Canon Hospice sponsors a camp for children age 7-12 who are experiencing grief. It lasts an entire weekend and involves play, artistic expression, and opportunities for kids to talk about feelings. The camp is held three times a year.

Referrals - We maintain bereavment resources and services in the area for those who may be experiencing more complicated grief. We also provide bibliographies and web sites for those who are interested in reading more information about grief and bereavement.

Myth 1:
You lose your Medicare benefits when you accept hospice care.
Truth:
One never loses his or her Medicare benefits. The hospice Medicare benefit is another part of Medicare coverage, and all services required for management of the terminal illness are provided by Canon Hospice.

Myth 2:
A patient must be actively dying to receive hospice care.
Truth:
A patient may be admitted to Canon Hospice. at any time during the last six months of life. It is best when the patient is referred before death is imminent or there is a crisis situation. It is preferable to refer a patient early so that the hospice team can have time to adequately prepare the patient and family for the impending death and so that Hospice. can do all it can to enhance the quality of the patient's life.

Myth 3:
Once you accept hospice care, you can never be hospitalized. You must remain at home no matter what.
Truth:
Under hospice care, the patient may be hospitalized to control symptoms or to provide respite care for the family if necessary. Arrangements for hospitalization must be made by Canon Hospice.

Myth 4:
Once you get into hospice, you can't get out of it.
Truth:
Hospice patients can withdraw from the program if they later choose to do so.

Myth 5:
Hospice care is only for the elderly.
Truth:
While the majority (70-75%) of hospice patients are over the age of 65, hospice care is for all ages.

Myth 6:
Hospice care is only for those who cannot afford regular medical care.
Truth:
Canon Hospice is reimbursed by Medicare and by most commercial insurance plans.

Myth 7:
There is really no difference between hospice care and home health.
Truth:
Although hospice care is provided most often in the home, there are significant differences between hospice and home health care. Home health is based on a medical model and addresses mainly issues dealing with the patient’s physical condition. Hospice is holistic in nature and addresses the entire patient, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Unlike in home health, hospice patients are not required to be homebound. They are free to enjoy a complete range of social activities, as long as they are physically able. Also unlike home health agencies, Canon Hospice. has physicians, chaplains, and volunteers who visit patients at home and a comprehensive bereavement program to support family members after the death of their loved one.