Education
When Is It Time To Consider Palliative Care And Hospice?
Getting started is sometimes the hardest part. We want to make it easier by guiding you through some basic steps.
The best time to learn about hospice is before you need it.
At any stage of an advanced illness, it’s appropriate to discuss options, including hospice and palliative care. The decision belongs to the individual and their family based on consultation from his or her personal physician.
Hospice care is most beneficial when referrals are made as early as possible affording adequate time for symptom and pain management, improved quality of life, emotional and spiritual support, and the development of trusting relationships between patient, family, and the hospice team members. If a patient is not appropriate for hospice, they may benefit from Palliative Care. The basic difference is, Palliative Care is a medical specialty focusing on expert treatment
of the pain, discomfort and stress that can occur with a serious illness. It focuses on improving quality of life and providing comfort to people of all ages with a serious, chronic and/or life threatening illness. Hospice is intensive palliative care for patients with terminal or life-limiting and no curative treatment available.
We encourage you to begin conversations with physicians and family members now regarding your end-of-life wishes, including what your goals of treatment are and what quality of life means to you.
Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping all efforts to cure their disease. It is courageous to fight terminal illness, and it is equally courageous to know when to discontinue treatment that is no longer helpful. Our staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and always available to discuss these and other issues with patients and families.
A Message for Family Members and Other Loved Ones
Family members and other loved ones are often a critical part of hospice care. At times, a patient who may benefit from hospice care may not be aware such treatment is available or may not be capable of contacting hospice. That’s when family members can advocate for a loved one and contact hospice.
If your loved one is considering hospice care or is already under hospice care, we are here for you, too, and welcome your questions and insights. Family members and other loved ones play a vital role in care giving and supporting a loved one during this time.
A referral to hospice is appropriate when:
- Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus.
- Curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.
- A patient has a terminal/life-limiting illness with life expectance of six months or less.
Making a Referral
To make a referral or to inquire about programs and services, call HPNI and a Care Coordinator will help you begin the referral process. Making this important phone call is the first step. Referrals to hospice may be made by anyone, including but not limited to:
- Family Members
- Physicians
- Discharge Planners
- Social Workers
- Patients
- Nursing Homes
- Friends
- Clergy
Early Intervention May Improve Quality of Life
Too often referrals for hospice care are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms or is near death. Although hospice care can do much to assist and provide care at this time, the patient and family can benefit much more from hospice services if referred earlier.
Many symptoms (i.e. pain) can be prevented from becoming severe. Symptoms that might otherwise require a hospitalization or an emergency room visit can be successfully managed by the hospice team –medical director, nurse, CNA, social worker, chaplain, and volunteer—in the patient’s home. The patient’s and family’s quality of life can be greatly enhanced by early intervention.
Once a referral has been made, an HPNI nurse assesses the patient’s physical and emotional readiness for services, obtains a full medical history, and determines what medication and medical equipment is needed. All discussions are handled in a highly sensitive manner. Once the assessment is performed, eligibility is determined by the Hospice Medical Director.
A care team is then assigned to the patient and family, and a visit schedule and plan of care is established. The team focuses on providing the physical, emotional and spiritual support needed to improve quality of life and meet the patient’s end-of-life goals. The nurse makes arrangements for medication and medical equipment to be delivered, and continues to monitor patient care.
The nurse also teaches the caregiver and family members how to care for the patient. Members of the care team continually interact with the family to identify what is needed to offer the highest quality of care. The care team visits as needed.
For more information on hospice care, review the material on this website, call Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois at 224-770-2489.
