Palliative Care - Myths and Understanding of Hospice Care

Just what is hospice care?

Hospice care is palliative care given to individuals who are terminally ill with an expected survival of six months or less. The focus of hospice care is on meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the dying individual, while fostering the highest quality of life possible.

For Right at Home of Sacramento/Yolo, providing supportive hospice care for the terminally ill is an integral facet of care and assistance that they provide.

Right at Home's supportive hospice care services places an in home care emphasis on compassionate, personal care of the patient, and provides supportive hospice trained and experienced non-medical caregivers to support the patient, their families, and the hospice care agency to provide medical hospice care - all within a warm and optimistic care environment.

Right at Home's caregiving team's experience with working in hospice has been afforded specific training in hospice care, which is unique in the in home care industry.

In the past, Right at Home's care team have been offered hospice specific training by both the Yolo Hospice team, as well as Vitas Hospice.

"It is particularly important for us to be able to offer the training to our quality care team," replied Steven Lowrey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Right at Home, "Our caregiving team have no less than two years of qualified experience, and certainly adding additional training and up-to-date hospice care techniques provided to them - is of vital importance for our ongoing efforts to provide quality supportive hospice care for our clients and their families."

Vitas Hospice's Sue Webb recently instructed a hospice training course for many of the Right at Home caregivers. "They were wonderful," she said, "It was obvious that they were very interested in learning and passionate about providing care. It is impressive that Right at Home offers such training to their caregivers."

Ms. Webb also discussed why there are many myths relating to palliative care throughout the region.

"A lot of people out there just do not understand what hospice is. Sometimes a loved one gets a hospice related diagnosis and they think, "I only have six months to live," and just give up. There are a lot of misconceptions out there."

She continued, "Understanding hospice and receiving information is key. Vitas offers DVD's - which are just five minutes long to watch. It certainly helps in better understanding what hospice offers. We also have reading materials which are all keys in receiving information."

Working alongside hospice agencies, Right at Home offers supportive assistance and care - which includes 12 and 24 hour care.

"Families may need to have an awake caregiver throughout the course of an evening, so our 12 hour care may be appropriate," replied Lowrey, "Other times, a 24 hour, live-in caregiver may be welcomed to the situation."

Right at Home additionally offers hourly care. 

"At Right at Home we offer flexible schedules that can cater to a family's needs. For instance, if a family is in need of respite care - or short term hourly care - they can contact our office and they can then take a break for an afternoon or evening - and have our caregivers provide care while they have the opportunity to take care of personal matters, an appointment, or simply having a moment to themselves."

For Sue Webb, most families feel immediate relief once Vitas Hospice is engaged in services.

"Most people don't realize that once a hospice diagnosis is reached, their insurance will cover the entire cost of hospice care. This will allow for a physician, a nuse, and home health aid all to covered for costs of care. This will also free up money to afford a private duty caregiver - such as what Right at Home provides."

Lowrey agreed with this assessment. "Absolutely. We have recently seen a trend where people do not realize that hospice is available to them - or simply avoid hospice. It is unfortunate, especially when we have seen clients wait to the last minute to take advantage of what hospice companies like Vitas can offer them."

Some families wish they can get their loved ones on hospice earlier, but do not know how to approach their loved one, or are intimidated by the concept of hospice.

For Sue Webb of Vitas, she hopes to educate others to the hospice concept.

"For families, I would encourage them to have the patient's physician speak with them about hospice care. Sometimes it helps to have the physician be directly involved, and hearing it from the doctor may help."

Webb added: "Also, let the person know that they do not have to be categorized as a 'DNR' (Do Not Resuscitate) hospice patient, and also can revoke their hospice status at any point they want. It is important to know that they have freedoms with hospice. And you can also 'graduate' from hospice too."

For Steven Lowrey of Right at Home, it is the understanding and security in knowing that each client is well cared for and assisted at their time of need.

"End of life care, or hospice care at home is a choice and a right for that individual who would rather remain at home. It is important for families to know that if their loved one wants to remain at their own home - there are options out there for support, care, and understanding. Right at Home tailors each of their care plans to support the hospice medical plan of care, and together we work in a symbiotic relationship to provide exceptional care."

For Sue Webb, she hopes all families understand that immediate hospice care is available.

"According to Vitas' surveys that we have conducted with our clients' families, the number one response to our survey is that they wish that they had been engaged with hospice earlier. They did not realize how important and instrumental receiving hospice is to the family."

"Many folks do not realize that after their family member is on hospice, they can call a nurse at two o'clock in the morning to receive help or advice. Or that our (Vitas) physicians will make housecalls. Or that our respiratory therapists are available to them."

"Having support like Right at Home is of equal value," added Lowrey, "we can assist with personal care needs, including bathing, transfers and positioning, hygiene assistance, and continence care. Right at Home also can assist with feeding or meal preparation, laundry and linens, housekeeping, and any incidental transportation (like Doctor's appointments)."

Even following a loved one's passing, the family can still garnish support from hospice services.

"Many families benefit greatly from our bereavement services," explained Webb, "Vitas has an entire bereavement team, including support groups, social workers, and chaplains that may visit families for up to a year."

"Vitas never turns anyone down," Webb stated.

"We especially appreciate the role that Vitas plays in the care evolution," replied Lowrey, "Quality hospice agenices like Vitas are fundamentally important in care being provided in the home. Without hospice, many families would be burdened with the task of providing all of the care for a loved one at the end of life. It is an experience that many are not ready or capable of providing. With having an agency directly involved - including Right at Home for supportive care - families can be afforded the confidence and security in knowing that their loved one will be well cared for in comfort until the end of life."

"I would ardently suggest to any family member that if your loved one is potentially reaching the stage of life that may require hospice care - do not wait until the last stages of their life to reach out for the help they deserve. Contact a qualified hospice agency today."