Patient Care Section
Who qualifies for hospice care?
Hospice provides care for anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. A terminal illness is any illness where a cure is not currently possible.
What services does hospice provide?
- Home visits by specially trained hospice nurse
- Pain management and symptom control
- Personal hygiene care from certified home health aides
- All medications related to the terminal diagnosis
- All specialized therapies required for the terminal diagnosis
- Psychosocial, spiritual, and grief support services
What types of terminal illnesses are covered by hospice care?
Any illness where cure is not currently possible including but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Alzheimer's disease / Dementia
- Congestive Heart Failure
- End Stage Heart Disease
- Renal Disease
- Liver Disease
- Neurological disorder - Stroke / Coma
- Respiratory Disease / COPD
- Failure to thrive
- AIDS
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
What is the difference between hospice and home health care?
The staff of Lakeside Hospice is specially trained to care for individuals with a terminal diagnosis. The level of care is more advanced. In hospice care, we encourage patients to do as much as they can for as long as they can. Traditional home health requires the patient to be homebound. This is not so with hospice care. Hospice care does not restrict mobility. Under hospice reimbursement, the patient is entitled to additional items such as meds related to the terminal disease process, supplies such as diapers and underpads, wound supplies, durable medical equipment, and services appropriate for the terminal diagnosis.
Who pays for hospice care?
Lakeside Hospice is a non-profit organization that accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay for services. Hospice care is also a benefit under Medicare, Medicaid, and most other private insurance.
How long is hospice care provided?
Hospice care is offered when your doctor says that you have a life expectancy of six months or less. Your hospice care can be recertified if your condition continues to decline.
How quickly can hospice care be provided?
One a referral is made, Lakeside Hospice will make contact with the patient or family generally within an hour in order to schedule the evaluation.
How do I request hospice services?
If you want hospice services, you can ask your physician to make a referral to Lakeside Hospice or you can contact Lakeside Hospice yourself and request services and we will contact your physician.
Lakeside Hospice takes pride in providing patients with a dignified, comfortable, end of life. It is often difficult for the family to make a decision to request hospice care for their loved on, and occasionally even physicians find a hospice referral hard to make. No one wants to face the reality of an illness, especially a terminal illness. For maximum quality of life, hospice care should be considered in a timely manner in order for the patient and family to benefit from hospice services.
For more information or to make a referral to hospice you may contact our Patient Care Coordinator, who is special trained and Hospice Certified at 205-884-1111 or 800-427-3993.
Van Patterson, RN, PCC.—Patient Care Coordinator