Choosing at-home care takes careful consideration. Your priority is ensuring that your loved one is properly cared for. During this life transition, it’s important to learn about the hospice admission journey. Knowing what to expect can relieve your concerns and equip you with much-needed confidence as you make critical decisions about your loved one’s care. First, you will need to confirm that your loved one is eligible for care so you can begin the admissions process. Our team at Shiloh Hospice offers compassionate guidance as you navigate your options. We’re prepared to help you every step of the way.
The family or patient’s healthcare provider will make a referral for hospice. The first call is where we will ask for information about the patient’s condition and their primary physician. After receiving permission from the patient, we will contact their doctor so we can better understand their prognosis and eligibility. The patient can begin hospice care only with a physician’s order.
One of our representatives will meet with your family to discuss the patient’s care needs. This consultation is where you’ll get important information and ask questions regarding our services and the care your loved one will receive.
The assessment visit marks the beginning of the patient’s transition to hospice. This meeting is our opportunity to gather more information about your loved one’s healthcare needs. It’s also your chance to understand what types of care and services are included in hospice. Together, we’ll build a plan that matches your loved one’s specific needs. A few examples of eligibility requirements include the following:
Certain disease-specific criteria may also indicate that your loved one is eligible for hospice care, such as a diagnosis of AIDS, dementia, cancer, liver disease and congestive heart failure. If we determine that your loved one is eligible for hospice care based on these criteria, we’ll provide consent forms for you to sign.
Once a plan is in place and all of the necessary consent documents are filled, the patient will be admitted and begin receiving hospice care. Hospice admission requires insurance information, a copy of the patient’s DNR and other advance directives, a medication list, medical equipment they need and other information you believe is important for our team to know.
Our nurses, social workers, chaplain and aides will visit the patient. Each staff member has an important role in supporting all aspects of their needs, including physical, emotional and spiritual ones. We provide attentive care for your loved one and also make sure that your family is adequately supported during this time.
Your satisfaction is important to us, and empathy is at the foundation of what we do. We want you to be able to focus on spending time with your loved one while we handle the logistics of starting hospice care.
Hospice is committed to providing compassionate support for individuals facing terminal illnesses, caring for their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being as they navigate the end of life. Similarly, palliative care shares the same philosophy of comprehensive patient care, extending its services to non-terminal patients, offering them the opportunity to lead longer, happier lives.
Our dedicated team of professionals aims to ensure that every aspect of your care is tailored to your unique situation and wishes.
We support your loved one through individualized care. Our physicians integrate compassion and empathy into everything we do, and we are committed to helping your loved one during this difficult time.
Our nursing staff assists your loved one by taking vitals and performing various duties to make sure the patient is as comfortable as possible. Our nurses follow the jurisdiction of the primary care physician.
When your loved one has a terminal illness, it’s hard for everyone impacted. Our medical social workers provide resources and support to help you cope. We can provide counseling, make referrals and advise caregivers.
We ensure your loved one is comfortable. Our hospice aides complete several important duties, such as assisting with personal hygiene, light housekeeping, feeding, dressing and changing linens.
As your loved one approaches the end of life, we are here to support you. Grief and bereavement counseling can help you manage the complicated emotions you and your loved ones may be feeling.
Volunteers are essential to what we do. Our volunteers are there to provide company and emotional support to you and your loved one.
Spirituality is important to hospice care, and our chaplain can provide support that suits each patient’s individual needs.
We make sure that your family and your loved one is able to make informed decisions regarding hospice care. We educate you on various services that can be a part of your care plan.
Our hospice care center is supplied with all of the medical equipment your loved one needs. We can provide wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen support and more to maximize the patient’s comfort.
We are equipped with necessary medical supplies, including briefs, gloves and personal care items, to adequately support your loved one’s needs.
In order to ensure the patient feels as comfortable as possible, our professionals oversee medication use to control symptoms and manage pain.
When necessary, we provide short-term inpatient care to help caregivers and family members. Respite care can be arranged for a single day or for several days to weeks.
Your loved one deserves round-the-clock care, and we’re prepared to provide exactly what. We have nurses and staff on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re here whenever you need us the most.
Hospice patients often have restricted dietary needs due to illness. We provide end-of-life dietary counseling to develop a nutrition plan that suits your loved one’s appetite and eating abilities.
Certain patients may receive physical, speech and occupational therapy to help them maintain independence and quality of life. We provide this service when it is necessary for the patient.