As adults, much of our life is spent making plans. Where will we go to college? What date will we get married? When should we start a family? Big decisions require careful thought and preparation. Planning end-stage care is no different. If seeking a curative treatment is no longer an option, how does one find happiness? The answer may lie in hospice care. What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice is a type of palliative care that guides terminally ill patients toward comfort after curative treatments have failed. Rather than focusing on getting better, patients use the program to focus on being happy, to manage pain and stress in hopes they’ll spend their last months celebrating love instead of fear. Does Hospice Care Really Make a Difference?Medical studies report that patients in hospice programs enjoy their final months more than patients who remain in intensive care. End-stage patients aren’t always able to make their own healthcare decisions, but research shows that making their choice known early can affect the care they receive. Planning for hospice care while still sound in mind and body can be a decision that eases your final days. Ideally, hospice care discussions with your physician should begin as soon as you’ve been diagnosed with a life-altering illness. Making a plan in advance can relieve some of the pressure if treatments fail. When Should You Make Your Decision? Once your body function declines, you may not be able to make a decision yourself. Discuss your choice with your family to be sure that you receive the care you want should you become terminal. What Are the Benefits of Hospice Care? Managing symptoms at home means visiting the doctor less. Spend that time with your family instead and schedule time with a registered nurse in your living room. Hospice care provides spiritual and emotional support as well for the difficult days ahead. You’ll learn to find comfort and joy in the little things. Your support team is available to you around the clock for questions and emergencies. You and your family can spend less time worrying about what you should do. Spend that time making memories instead. Is Hospice Care Expensive? Many people expect hospice care to be cost-prohibitive. The truth is, however, that program prices vary, and it’s rare for a patient or their family to be liable for the whole cost. Most private and government insurance plans partially or fully cover hospice programs. Patients with poor or no insurance may be eligible for grants or a sliding-scale rate determined by their ability to pay. Choosing whether or not to move to hospice care when an illness becomes terminal is a huge decision. It’s a choice best made before it becomes complicated by emotion. At Hospice Care of the Golden Isles, our team of experts is here to answer your questions so you can make an informed decision and start planning with your family. To learn more about hospice care and other types of palliative care programs in southeast coastal Georgia, call us toll-free today at 866.275.6801. The active military is an impressive force—1.3 million strong and growing every year. Service to your country is a noble endeavor, but even the most dedicated soldier can find it grueling. Troops not only have to worry about physical injuries but emotional damage as well. Knowing this, the Veterans Administration provides active troop and veterans support through medical coverage. Because veterans deserve lifelong respect, the VA’s comprehensive medical package also covers hospice care. Many veterans and their families are unaware that this end-of-life program is fully covered and end up leaving the benefit unused. Taking advantage of the plan can help terminal patients find spiritual, emotional, and physical relief so that they can find joy in spending time with their loved ones. How Is Veterans Support Hospice Care Different? While comfort and dignity are important for any patient during end-of-life care, veterans deserve the utmost respect. The VA pays for hospice service to help veterans manage the physical, emotional, and mental trauma involved in this final stage. Even if their injury or illness doesn’t stem directly from their time in the service, every veteran has earned the right to a comfortable end. Veterans hospice care coverage pays for a variety of services to fit an individual soldier’s needs. Treatments may include counseling, pain management, and even spiritual guidance as a veteran learns to accept a hard situation. Veterans can choose to be treated in a hospice house or spend their final days receiving treatment at home. How Do VA Hospice Benefits Work? Although hospice goes beyond physical care, it’s considered a medical service, with comprehensive coverage that matches the VA medical plan. Whether a veteran needs a bereavement counselor, home aid, case manager, chaplain, or all of the above, they shouldn’t have to pay a penny out of pocket. That being said, there are specific requirements to be eligible for hospice care through the VA. First, you must be a veteran, a direct dependent of a veteran, or a surviving parent, spouse, or child of a deceased veteran. Active military members may also qualify. In addition, to apply for hospice care coverage, you'll need to have: • A life-limiting illness diagnosis • Comfort-focused treatment goals rather than actively seeking a cure • Six-months or less to live, as evidenced by a VA doctor If you meet all of the requirements, any hospice care you receive from the VA or a VA-contracted organization will be covered in full. Hospice of the Golden Isles is contracted with the VA to provide end-stage services to veterans. We consider ourselves privileged to support the heroes who supported our nation. Veterans in our Hospice House receive personalized care and recognition to assist them with their unique physical and emotional needs. Our non-profit hospice team is happy to discuss our programs for both veterans and civilians. We take pride in helping families find happiness during a difficult time. To learn more about our Veterans Support Hospice Care in southeast coastal Georgia, call 912.265.4735. |
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