Life with Terminal Illness
OVERVIEW
The final stages of life’s journey should be taken with dignity and comfort. We’re here to support you during this important time.
At Care Unlimited Hospice, we believe that how a person leaves this earth is as important as how they spent their life on it. We see hospice care as the punctuation at the end of a life well-lived. It’s an opportunity to ensure a noble passing and provide the gift of peace, honoring what a loved one meant to the lives they touched.
- To help with this, our hospice care includes the following:
- Full-spectrum patient comfort care and pain management
- Guidance and support for families, including education on the disease process, bereavement support and maximizing quality of life for the entire family. Care in-home or facilities such as assisted living communities. By providing personalized medical, social and spiritual care, our hospice team gives patients a chance to experience life to the fullest and allow their families a chance to create cherished memories.
- Attending Physician: Oversees medical care and prescriptions to manage pain and symptoms (may also be the medical director)
- Hospice Medical Directors: Liaison between the attending physician, patient and family who also provides information and insight into the patient’s needs
- Social Worker: Advises patients and families when needed, develops and integrated care plan based on emotional, physical, social and financial needs, and assists with bereavement support after a loved one has passed
- Spiritual Counselor: Draws on the beliefs and values of patients and families to cope with the spiritual aspects of illness and loss. Can assist with specific religious needs and lead memorial services.
- Volunteers: Offer support for all non-medical needs such as providing companionship and socialization, running errands and assisting with family needs.
- Hospice Aides (CNA/CHHA): Provide personal care to each patient, reports any changes in need and offers comfort measures as directed.
- RN Case Manager: Responsible for coordinating all aspects of the integrated plan for patient care while overseeing symptom control, pain management and as-needed administering of medications.
Patient services are provided without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), communicable disease, or place of national origin.
SELECT A TOPIC
What About My Existing Coverage?
Does Hospice Care Mean I am Giving Up on a Loved One?
Who Is Eligible?
What is the criteria for being a hospice patient?
The hospice benefit is available to anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness or disease runs its normal course. hospice must be elected by the patient or family (if the patient is not able to make the decision on their own) and eligibility must be certified by a physician
Do all patients need to have a memory care diagnosis to use Care Unlimited Hospice services?
Care Unlimited hospice serves anyone with a terminal diagnosis that is eighteen years of age and older. We support patients and their families through many different illnesses including: cancer, heart disease, AIDS, lung disease, kidney disease, Huntington’s disease, MS and degenerative conditions including those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss.
For further information on hospice eligibility, please visit the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services information located here.
Medical Care
Do we have to switch doctors to be on Care Unlimited Hospice hospice?
The Care Unlimited Hospice team is purposefully assembled to cover all aspects of end-of-life care. That said, a patient’s relationship with their doctor is a very important one and we realize that familiarity is vital and helpful. The Care Unlimited Hospice team is experienced in working with patients’ existing doctors to facilitate comfort for both patients and their families.
Does Insurance Cover Hospice?
Does Insurance Cover Hospice Care?
Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal and many other insurance plans. Whether you plan on using insurance or a private pay option, a Care Unlimited representative can provide more information.
Can I Afford Hospice?
Is hospice care expensive?
Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by individual insurers. Medicare coverage is available to anyone that has a six-month or less prognosis. Most medications and therapies that relieve pain and provide comfort are covered by Medicare.
What services do medicare and medicaid cover?
for further information on what is covered for hospice care, please visit the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services information located here
What About My Existing Coverage?
Does Hospice Mean Losing Existing Coverage?
A patient who goes on hospice care does not lose other coverage they have. This includes things like vision, dental, diabetes care and any other continuing services. A Care Unlimited Hospice representative can help you understand more about how hospice care interacts with your existing insurance.
Does hospice care mean I am giving up on my loved one?
Hospice does not mean that you or your medical professionals are giving up. Hospice is a change of focus to a different set of goals - comfort and quality of life. Comfort care includes physical therapy, spiritual and emotional support, companionship and even the granting of life-long wishes. Hospice gives the patient and their family the opportunity to enjoy life and celebrate the bonds and memories they share.
