Q: When is the right time for hospice care?
A: Hospice care is appropriate for any patient with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less, if the disease follows its normal course. A patient’s physician certifies that the patient meets criteria for hospice.
Q: What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
A: While hospice care is for those with a serious illness and a prognosis of six months or less, supportive palliative care is for anyone with a serious, debilitating illness who needs help with symptom management in the home. Palliative care allows patients to maintain their current treatment plans and doctor visits, while having additional help from the supportive palliative care team.
Q: How do I know which hospice company is right for me?
A: Choosing the right hospice involves asking important questions about staff visit frequency, levels of care provided, and whether the doctor makes house calls. To assess quality, you can check the Medicare website for ratings of certified hospices.
Q: What happens if a caregiver feels overwhelmed or no longer able to care for their loved one at home?
A: VNA’s social workers are there to help find the right level of care, as well as providing resources and information about services that may be available in the community. VNA also offers respite care for short-term caregiver relief.
Q: Are VNA’s doctors able to care for complex medical patients at home?
A: Absolutely. VNA’s physician team is led by a Board-Certified Hospice and Palliative Medicine doctor with years of experience in symptom management.
Q: Does VNA provide medications for the patient?
A: VNA hospice provides all medications that are related to the patient’s terminal condition, as well as any necessary equipment and supplies, such as personal care supplies. The RN case manager works to ensure that the patient’s unique needs are met.
Q: Are palliative care patients able to continue seeing their care team, including specialists?
A: Yes! With supportive palliative care, patients have the flexibility to see any physician or specialist that is part of their care team. They can receive both symptom management support and maintain all treatment options.
Q: If our family recognizes that it might be time for hospice, how do we get that process started?
A: At VNA, we often receive referrals directly from the patient’s physician (any physician on their care team), but families can also call us directly for more information or visit our website at vnatexas.org.
Evoto
The Visiting Nurse Association
Olivia Rogers, RN, BSN, CHPN, MBA
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
2821 West 7th St., Suite 290
Fort Worth 761077
817.745.5045
vnatexas.org
