When your loved one is reaching the point of needing hospice care, you already have so many other things on your mind. It can be difficult to figure out your options, let alone what to do when you find them! But, selecting the right hospice is crucial to ensuring your loved one receives compassionate, dignified care during this final phase of their life.
Hospice care should offer comfort, support, and peace for the patient and their family. However, if you have never experienced the process of finding a hospice care provider, then you might not know how to spot great hospice care. We’ve compiled 10 essential questions to help you navigate the process.
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What services are provided?
Hospice isn’t just end of life care – there is so much more to it! For example, Hospice of the Fisher Home provides hospice care that includes medical supervision, nursing care, emotional support, and practical help within our community. Our services include regular visits from our clinical staff, including our registered hospice nurses, certified nursing assistants, and social worker. Some hospices, like ours, also offer bereavement services to loved ones and community care where they can come to the patient rather than the patient entering the residence.
Understanding the range of services provided can give you a scope of how involved your loved ones hospice care will be. Ask if they offer in-home care, inpatient care, bereavement counseling, and respite care for caregivers.
How Quickly Do They Respond to Patient Needs?
With hospice care, there is typically a time constraint for the patient. You need to know how quickly your hospice will respond to needs. Care that is available 24/7 is best. Make sure to ask about response times and availability for urgent needs or medical emergencies, both during the day and after hours!
Is the Staff Certified and Experienced in End-of-Life Care?
A lot of different people make up a hospice – there are CNAs, RNs, volunteers, social workers and so many more! Inquiring about the training and certifications of staff can help you get a gauge on how much experience they have in end-of-life care.
What Is the Patient-to-Staff Ratio?
This may sound like a strange question, but patient-to-staff ratio can have a HUGE impact on quality of care. Now, this doesn’t mean that a smaller hospice will have worse care – because it is all about the ratio.
A lower ratio typically means more personalized attention for your loved one. Ask how many patients each nurse, aide, or staff member is responsible for at any given time. This can give you a better sense of how often your loved one will be checked on and how much individualized care they’ll receive.
How Do You Approach Pain Management and Symptom Control?
Hospice isn’t about a cure. It is about symptom control and pain management so that your loved one is as comfortable as they can be. It is great to inquire about the approach of the hospice. Is it patient centered? Does it prioritize comfort?
Be sure to ask about how they assess and adjust pain medication, manage symptoms like nausea or shortness of breath, and provide emotional support. It’s also important to ask how often they reevaluate the care plan to ensure your loved one’s comfort.
How Involved Is the Family in Care Planning?
Families, as you probably already know, play a vital role in hospice care, so ask how involved you’ll be in creating and adjusting the care plan. A good hospice will collaborate with family members to keep everyone informed about your loved one’s condition, changes in care needs, and decisions about treatment options. Ask how they communicate updates and whether they offer family meetings or support sessions.
What Emotional and Spiritual Support Is Available?
Yes, hospice care focuses on managing physical symptoms, but a great hospice also addresses emotional and spiritual needs. Ask about counseling services, chaplain visits, or spiritual care for patients and families.
Be sure to confirm whether they can accommodate specific religious or cultural practices if that’s important to your loved one. Holistic support can help provide comfort and peace during this difficult time
Are Bereavement and Grief Support Services Provided?
Grieving doesn’t end when hospice care does, which is why bereavement support is essential. Ask potential hospices about grief counseling, support groups, and other bereavement practices that they offer for family members after a loved one has passed. Also, ask how long these services are offered. At Hospice of the Fisher Home we provide hospice care for 13 months after a loved one passes.
What Are the Costs and Insurance Options?
Finances can be a significant concern for families when it comes to hospice care. Ask what costs are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance and clarify any out-of-pocket expenses. Make sure the hospice is transparent about billing practices, co-pays, and any additional services that might incur extra fees. Knowing these details upfront can help prevent financial surprises later, which you don’t want to deal with while grieving.
What Is the Hospice’s Reputation in the Community?
Reputation can reflect on the quality of care. Is the hospice you are looking at recommended by others? Are there referrals and testimonials from families who have used their services? This is a good indicator of the care your loved one will receive. For example, Hospice of the Fisher Home is one of just two hospices in Massachusetts from Medicare’s “Care Compare” website.
You can also check online reviews, ask healthcare providers, or seek recommendations from friends or local support groups. A reputable hospice with positive feedback is more likely to provide compassionate, reliable care.
We know how challenging it can be to navigate hospice care. You are already coping with so much! Hopefully, these questions will help you gain clarity during your decision making process.
If you are in the Western Massachusetts area and have a loved one who requires hospice care, Hospice of the Fisher Home provides both in-residence or at-home (or wherever you reside) care through our community program. Contact us to find out more.
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