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How Hospice Can Help: Long-Term Care
Hospice of Arizona offers a special program for residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes) who are facing a life-limiting illness.
Working in partnership with the long-term care staff, the Hospice Team develops a joint plan of care tailored to the specific needs of the resident and his or her family members.
Hospice professionals provide expert assistance with pain and symptom management as well as spiritual and emotional support for patients and their loved ones at home.
As with any Hospice care, focus rests on creating an environment of understanding among patients, families and caregivers and enhancing the patient's quality of life in every possible way.
Long-term care services complement and supplement the services already provided by the long-term care facility staff and may include:
- Scheduled visits by an experienced Registered Nurse to assess the patient's needs and assist with pain control and symptom management.
- Coordination of medical equipment for comfort and symptom management in addition to the equipment routinely provided by the long-term care facility.
- Assigned Certified Nurse Aides who supplement the care provided by facility personnel.
- Psychosocial support for residents, families and the long-term care staff.
- Spiritual support, which may include clergy as requested, for residents and families.
- Companionship and emotional support provided by trained volunteers.
- Bereavement counseling and support for family members throughout the resident's illness and up to a year or more, as needed, after death.
- Consultation and emergency care available from Hospice professionals 24 hours a day, everyday of the year.
Long-Term Care Eligibility
Residents of long-term care facilities are eligible for the Hospice of Arizona's enhanced level of personal care when they are facing a terminal illness for which the identified goal of treatment is symptom management and comfort.
When the long-term care facility has a contractual agreement with Hospice of Arizona, residents are eligible for Hospice care if they meet the following conditions:
- The resident's physician supports a determination of a prognosis of a limited life expectancy.
- Both physician and family agree on a palliative (versus curative) course of care.
- Residents of the long-term care facilities are enrolled in Medicare Part A and elect the Hospice Medicare Benefit or are enrolled in the State Medicaid Program.
- The Medicare and Medicaid benefit covers all Hospice services related to the terminal condition including medications, supplies and equipment.
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