This is Hospice: A Clear Picture of End-of-Life Care

“In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin

In a world where every single one of us will one day die, death and end-of-life care is often shrouded in myth and mystery. We speak in euphemisms, not wanting to consider our own mortality or that of the people we love the most. It’s understandable; but this reluctance to discuss death often leads us to miss out on support that would greatly improve the quality of life in our remaining days.

Some of the most enduring myths regarding hospice care include:

• Hospice is a place.
  In fact, hospice is a set of services that can be delivered wherever the patient resides – including their home, retirement communities, assisted living facilities or hospitals.
• Hospice is for the last few days of life.
  Terminally-ill patients are eligible to receive the support of hospice care as soon as their physician determines they have a prognosis of six months or less if the disease progression runs its normal course.
• Hospice care is expensive.
  Hospice is completely covered by private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. In most cases, there is no out-of-pocket cost to the patient or their family.

So What’s the Truth About Hospice?

The truth is that hospice is a set of services to support the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families. Throughout National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, we’ll be taking a look at exactly what that care looks like in our #ThisIsHospice series.

This is Hospice: Special Moments

At Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, our focus is on providing patients and their families with the care they need to make the most of every moment they have together. This includes special moments like our Gift of a Day program, giving patients a perfect day that is as unique to each of them. For some, it’s a special dinner with family. For others, it’s celebrating a long-dreamed wedding. Still others take the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience like flying a plane or meeting a favorite performer.

This is Hospice: We Honor Veterans

Hospice for us is providing our military Veterans with care designed to meet their unique end-of-life needs. We are proud to be a partner in the Veteran’s Administration We Honor Veterans program which recognizes Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care as providing the highest quality care to our nation’s heroes. Our staff are educated and trained to address feelings of anxiety, depression and guilt in Veterans at end of life and the effects of PTSD on combat Veterans. In addition, we have developed a Veteran’s Recognition Program to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they have made in defense of our country.

This is Hospice: Making Memories

Most people want three things at the end of life:

•        To be remembered
•        To pass down their life experiences and beliefs
•        To know that their life mattered

We work with patients to fulfill these desires through our Life Journal program. Life Journals are compiled by volunteers who gather the photographs, stories and experiences the patient wants to share with their families. These are combined in a beautiful hardback book for the family to cherish for generations to come.

This is Hospice: Final Moments

At Crossroads, we believe no one should die alone. When a patient’s death is imminent, we want to be there to offer comfort and support. Physical symptoms can change rapidly in the terminally ill. Our Evenmore Care program gives us the ability to add around-the-clock support to meet that patient’s needs and provide emotional support for the families through the guidance of chaplains and bereavement counselors.

This is Hospice: There When You Need Us

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide care, accept patient admissions, and answer questions. Please call 1-888-564-3405 to speak with us at any time.

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