What is Hospice

For Patients and Families

When medical science has done all it can and the search for a cure gives way to the need for comfort, hospice offers families a place to turn for help and hope.

Hospice is a medically directed, nurse coordinated program of care serving terminally ill patients and their families, wherever they reside. 

All Medicare and Medicaid certified hospices are required to provide four levels of care, depending on the needs of individual patients:

 

• Routine Home Care: This is the most common level of care. Patients are cared for in their homes, whether it be a private residence or nursing home.
• Continuous Care: In times of medical crisis many families feel overwhelmed and need additional support. The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), in consultation with the patient and family, will decide if Continuous Care (a hospice team member will be present until patient's passing) is the optimal way of meeting the Patient and family needs. Continuous Care is generally limited to 1-5 days, however, can be longer and varies from case to case.
• Respite Care: This level of care is used when a patient, being cared for at home by family members is unable to be left alone for an extended period of time and the family needs “respite”, usually to attend an out of town wedding or special occasion. There are times it is used to just offer families’ a bit of “respite.” This level of care is limited to no more than 5 days in a Benefit Period. 

Hospice provides patients the physical and emotional support they need, when they need it most. With an interdisciplinary team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, hospice is there.

Whether our patients live at home or in a facility, the Otium Hospice Care team strives to manage patient’s symptoms and ensure comfort.

Hospice lessens the burdens for patients and families. When treatment is no longer an option, we hope you will consider Otium Hospice Care as your hospice provider. 

If you have any questions or we can be of assistance in any way, please contact Otium Hospice Care to speak with one of our referral counselors. All information will remain confidential.

 

The Hospice Promise

Otium Hospice Care promises to comfort always. Hospice promises comfort, care, compassion, and counseling when it’s needed, wherever the patient/family chooses: at home, a long-term care facility, or in an assisted living community.

Hospice promises to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families, with a deep respect for their wishes, preferences and beliefs. 

As universal as death is, dying is a very individual, personal and unique experience for patients and their families. Otium Hospice Care respects the different cultural customs and practices, as well as religious and spiritual beliefs We understand that this very special time is as different as the individuals we serve. 

 

Hospice Philosophy and Goals

Hospice philosophy respects the rights of patient and family:

• -- The right to enjoy the highest quality of life.
• -- The right to die with dignity.
• -- The right to actively participate in the management of care.
• -- The right to have their needs identified, communicated and addressed.

Hospice strives to achieve excellence in its set objectives:

• -- Relief of pain, whether physical, spiritual, social or psychological.
• -- Ongoing emotional support of patients and family.
• -- Assisting the family/caregiver during the grieving process, for up to 13 months after the death of their loved one.