What is Hospice?

Hospice is an in-home way of caring for an ailing loved one and their family during their last days. Hospice is a wonderful benefit of Medicare: 100% of the services are covered, with no copays or deductibles.

Most hospice teams consist of a nurse, social worker, hospice aide, chaplain, volunteer, and medical doctor, who oversees the care plan.

Watch the video above for more information!

What is the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care?

Understanding the differences between hospice and palliative care is crucial for making informed healthcare decisions. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and support to patients in their final stages of life, typically when curative treatments are no longer an option. In contrast, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, addressing pain management, symptom relief, and emotional support for patients at any stage of a serious illness. Both services prioritize improving quality of life but differ in timing and scope. Watch the above video to explore these distinctions and gain clarity on which care option may best suit your loved one’s needs.

Call our office today to talk about Hospice for your loved one: (972)-778-8038

Hospice 101 Call: The First Step

Making the first call to a hospice company can feel overwhelming, but it’s an important step in ensuring your loved one receives compassionate care during this critical time. In this video, we give you an inside look to the process, explaining and demonstrating what a Hospice 101 call looks like.

When you call, a hospice representative will ask key questions about your loved one’s condition, current needs, and eligibility. They’ll also provide information about services such as pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and caregiver resources. This initial conversation is designed to help you understand how hospice care can provide comfort and support for your family.

To take this first step, call our office to have a Hospice 101 call today: (972)-778-8038

Patient Choice

PATIENT CHOICE

Also known as Patient Autonomy, Patient Choice is the right of any patient to make decisions about their medical care that might be different from their healthcare provider’s recommendation.

Healthcare providers can’t make decisions for patients. Because of this Patient Choice allows healthcare providers to educate patients so they are able to make informed decisions.

Watch our video for more information!

WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY LOVED ONE ISN’T SAFE AT HOME ANYMORE?

There are a few different options for care when you feel a loved one isn’t safe at home. The two most popular options are:

• Personal Care Homes – Housing with small groups of elderly or disabled people who receive around-the-clock care.
• Assisted Living Facilities – Large complexes that feature around-the-clock care as well as daily activities and specialized care.

Watch our video for more information!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICARE AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE?

The main difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans is coverage. Medicare is in-network with most major healthcare facilities and providers.

If you have Medicare Advantage you need to find out if the services are in-network. If a Medicare Advantage service or facility is not in-network it may hinder the scope of services offered.

Watch our video for more information!

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES?

There are 5 pieces of criteria for a patient to be eligible for home healthcare or home health services:

• The patient must be homebound
• The patient must have a skilled need
• The patient must currently have a doctor
• The patient must have a face-to-face visit with their doctor
• The doctor must review and establish the home healthcare plan that will be provided

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