HOPE Palliative Care is a team of physicians, nurses and social workers who provide medical care and support for people with serious illness and their families. We provide treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with serious illnesses.
It can and should be provided together with curative treatment. Palliative Care supports the patient and family by helping them to understand treatment options and choices. Palliative care can also help meet emotional and spiritual needs as well.
We are committed to the provision of compassionate care to our patients and their families by enhancing the quality of life through consultation, support, and education.
Services Covered
Palliative Care for patients include:
- Care centered on the patient and family.
- Development of appropriate goals of care.
- Education on disease conditions.
- Patient/family communication regarding medical decisions and choices.
- Complex pain and symptom management.
- Consistent follow-up to help reduce crisis situations and hospital admissions.
- Coordination of community support services.
- Coordination of treatment and communication with the physician.
- Support availability on a 24 hour basis.
Palliative Care can assist with the following symptoms:
- Pain or Discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Depression
- Losing control over their life
- Frequent emergency room visits
- Lack of emotional support
- Side effects from treatment
HOSPICE CARE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DIFFERENCES
Admission Criteria
Palliative Care
Patients at any stage of advanced and life-threating illness who desire treatment for relief of symptoms whether social, physical, emotional, or spiritual. May still be seeking curative therapies
Hospice
Terminally ill (prognosis of 6 months or less if illness follows its normal course) and desiring treatment for relief of symptoms whether physical, emotional, social or spiritual. No curative therapies.
Diagnosis
Palliative Care
All distressing issues related to disease diagnosis and symptoms are identified in the Plan of Care with suggested interventions.
Hospice
One diagnosis is selected to be the terminal diagnosis and is the hospice program’s financial responsibility. Other diagnoses included in the Plan of Care and treated but continue to be covered under the Medicare benefit.
Physician Responsibility
Palliative Care
The patient’s physician must order the Palliative consult or admission to the palliative program.
The patient’s Plan of Care is reviewed at least every 30 days. The primary physician must remain available for needed orders.
Hospice
Certification by two physicians if the patient is terminally ill. Plan of Care reviewed at least every 15 days. Certifications for subsequent benefit periods are made by the hospice physician.
The primary physician must remain available for needed orders.
Caregiver
Palliative Care
A Caregiver is not required. Patient and caregiver family needs are the focus of care.
Hospice
The caregiver is identified (or plan established for the caregiver when needed) and required by Hospice. The focus of care is on the patient and caregiver/family needs.
Visit Frequency
Palliative Care
No restrictions.
Hospice
Determined by patient and Hospice team.
Hospitalization
Palliative Care
No restrictions.
Hospice
Must be coordinated by Hospice. Admission for respite care or symptom management must be into a contracted facility.
Services Covered
Palliative Care
Nurse Practitioners are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. Deductibles and co-pays may apply. Per visit rate for RN and Home Health Aide on a sliding fee scale as financially needed. No charge for volunteer, chaplain, social worker and bereavement services.
Hospice
Covered 100% by Medicare and Medicaid. By Private Insurance per contract and subject to deductible and co-pays. Patients chose the hospice of their choice.
Cost
Palliative Care
Nurse Practitioners are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. Deductibles and co-pays may apply. Per visit rate for RN and Home Health Aide on a sliding fee scale as financially needed. No charge for volunteer, chaplain, social worker and bereavement services.
Hospice
Covered 100% by Medicare and Medicaid. By Private Insurance per contract and subject to deductible and co-pays. The patient selects the hospice of their choice.
Staffing
Palliative Care
Support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hospice
Support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Crisis Management
Palliative Care
Nursing visits.
Hospice
Nursing visits or continuous care to allow the patient to stay at home.
Bereavement Support
Palliative Care
Provided to caregivers for 13 months after the death of the patient.
Hospice
Assessed on admission to hospice and provided ongoing and for 13 months after the death of the patient.
