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B R A N D O N L . J O N E S , M H A
C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R
Hospice of Charles County
What is Hospice?
• Hospice cares for more than 1.65 million Americans and their families every year
• The focus is on CARING, not curing
• Superior patient/family satisfaction for service
• Hospice care is not limited to six months of service
Levels of Hospice Care
• Routine Hospice Care
• General Inpatient Care
• Inpatient Respite Care
When to call Hospice
1. Has the person your concerned about visited the ER or hospital more than once in the past 6 months?
2. Has this person made more than one late-night or weekend call to the doctor?
3. Is this person ever too sick to keep doctor’s appointments?
4. Has this person stopped improving with medical treatments?
5. Has this person suffered from one or more complications such as pneumonia, weight loss or skin ulcers?
6. Does this person need help to bathe, dress or eat?
When to call Hospice
We can go to YOU…or you can come to US…
*In their homes
*In extended care facilities
*At the Hospice House!
Our Team Approach
Patient
Caregiver
Physician
Hospice Staff
Trained Volunteers
• Comprehensive care & compassion
• Nursing visits
• Costs associated with hospice care
Programs & Support
• We Honor Veterans Program
• Hospice-Veteran Partnership (HVP) Program
• Vet-to-Vet Volunteer Program
Myth: Fact:
1. Hospice is only for people with cancer
1. While about half of the patients receiving hospice care are cancer patients, the other half suffer from illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, dementia, CVAs/strokes, HIV/AIDS, debility and neuromuscular diseases, among others
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. Hospice services are only for dying people
1. Hospice is family-centered care. It concentrates as much on the family as it does on the patient. Hospice of Charles County provides counseling and grief services for family, friends and the community-at-large.
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. Hospice care is expensive
1. Most people who use hospice are over age 65 and are entitled to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all hospice services and requires little, if any, out-of-pocket expense. Even for younger patients whose private insurance may not fully cover hospice care, end-of-life care with hospice can be far less expensive than the alternative of hospital or nursing home care.
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. Patients die sooner with hospice care than without it.
1. Hospice neither hastens nor prevents death. However, it is believed that hospice patients may actually live somewhat longer once their pain is adequately managed.
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. Hospice will only treat symptoms related to the terminal diagnosis
1. Hospice specializes in palliative care—that is, care designed to provide comfort. Providing that comfort requires treating illnesses unrelated to a patient’s terminal illness. Illnesses or injuries such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and broken bones always receive appropriate attention.
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. Physicians lose control of the plan of care when their patients enter hospice.
1. The referring physician is a vital member of the hospice team. In fact, many physicians find that hospice greatly enhances and extends the care they can provide. Hospice of Charles County encourages physicians to follow their patient through the hospice journey. And, while the physician remains the attending physician for the patient, it is appropriate to bill insurance carriers for all services that the physician provides related to the terminal diagnosis.
Myths about Hospice…
Myth: Fact:
1. It is complicated to refer a patient to hospice.
1. It is actually easy. Simply ask yourself, “Would I be surprised if this patient were still alive a year from now?” If the answer is yes, consult with the patient’s physician about a hospice referral or call the Hospice of Charles County Admissions office at 301-861-5333. a member of the admissions team will be glad to contact the patient’s physician.
Myths about Hospice…
Be sure to download our full Physician’s Referral Guide on our website.www.hospiceofcharlescounty.org
2505 DAVIS ROAD, WALDORF, MD 20603
(301) 831 -5300
B J O N E S @ H O S P I C E O F C H A R L E S C O U N T Y. O R G
WWW.HOSPICEOFCHARLESCOUNTY.ORG
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