Hospice patients may be referred by anyone. A call to Waldo County Home Healthcare Services is all that is necessary for a family to discuss the hospice benefits with a home health nurse. Admission is based on a physician’s diagnosis of a terminal illness of less than six months duration and the patient’s willingness to accept palliative care, recognizing that they will no longer receive curative treatment unless it provides comfort and relief of symptoms.
Hospice builds on a family-centered team approach. The care-giving team includes a physician, nurse, social worker, home health aide, specially trained volunteers and a pastoral counselor. Together with the patient and family, they formulate a plan of care which includes medications for pain control, necessary medical equipment and comfort or support services as personal care, emotional support and homemaking services.
Hospice care takes place primarily in the home, where patients and families are usually most comfortable. Eighty percent of the care, in fact, must take place in the home. Twenty percent of the services may be provided by Waldo County General Hospital, where a dedicated area designed to meet the special needs of hospice patients and their families is available for respite care, symptom management and terminal care. Wherever the patient and family are served, support is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The Hospital offers in-patient hospice care. In 1992, Waldo County General Hospital became the first Hospital in Maine to offer a dedicated in-patient program for hospice patients and families. Two home-like patient rooms, an overnight guest room and a comfortable family room provide a private, supportive, compassionate setting for patients and families facing these final stages of life.
Respite care is available in the home on a limited basis and in the hospital for up to five days. Hospice acknowledges and supports the need for family members to take care of their own personal needs or to take a break from patient care activities.
The social workers are professionally trained to provide counseling and emotional support.
At the request of the patient and family, the pastoral care coordinator will provide direct counseling or coordinate visits by the spiritual care person of choice.
Volunteers provide a wide range of services including short respite care for the family, friendly support and anything a good neighbor would do.
Family and friends are offered comfort throughout the grieving process and for the year following the death of a loved one. Special memorial services are held regularly to celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. In addition, regular contact with family and friends is available through a bereavement support group.
Medicare and many commercial insurance providers pay for the hospice benefit. Volunteer services are provided to patients and families at no charge. A Medicare beneficiary will be covered by simply choosing hospice under the Medicare guidelines. To find out if your health insurance company offers hospice coverage, please call your provider’s claims department.
