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Hospice provides a wide range of patient services at no cost to the patient or family:
Pain and symptom management
Our Medical Director and nursing staff work closely with patients, their families and their attending physicians to control pain and alleviate any other symptoms.
Spiritual support
Hospice spiritual counselors help patients and family members with any spiritual issues that might arise during this difficult time.
Personal care
Home health aides help with bathing and personal care for patients.
Medications
Hospice provides prescription medications necessary for symptom management and pain relief as they relate to the terminal illness, at no cost to the patient.
Social services
Hospice social workers help with end of life tasks, financial issues, and final arrangements.
Bereavement support
Family members can continue to rely on Hospice for support and counseling after their loved one has died.
For a detailed list of services click here
Transitions
Hospice also sponsors Transitions, a program for people who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness and have a prognosis of one year or less. The goal of the program is to identify the needs of the client and family, both medical and non medical, and offer assistance in fulfilling those needs with referrals and links to existing community resources.
For more information about Transitions click here
To be eligible for Hospice services the patient must meet these requirements:
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The patient’s physician and the Hospice Medical Director certify that the patient is terminally ill with a prognosis of 6 months or less |
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There is a primary caregiver in the home or the patient must meet “live alone” program criteria. |
Hospice services are offered at no charge to the patient; patients do not need to be covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal or private insurance.
For FAQs about Hospice Services click here
Detailed List of Hospice Services
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Skilled nursing care as directed by the attending physician |
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Pain and symptom management |
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All prescription medications necessary for symptom management and pain relief as related to the life limiting illness |
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Help with personal care and bathing |
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On call nursing support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
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On call social worker, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
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Emotional and spiritual counseling and support |
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Assistance with end-of-life tasks including final arrangements |
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Trained volunteers to relieve caregivers and provide professional services such as massage or hair styling |
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Education for family and caregivers in end-of-life care |
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Physical and occupational therapy to assess the living environment and recommend any necessary changes |
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Dietary counseling |
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Durable medical equipment |
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Hospitalization for symptoms that are unmanageable at home (in conjunction with Medicare or Medi-Cal) |
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Hospitalization for short term care giver respite (in conjunction with Medicare or Medi-Cal) |
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Bereavement support for one year following the death |
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On going bereavement support groups for any family member |
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Bereavement support groups focused exclusively on children |
Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Services
How do you qualify for Hospice care?
A patient has to be certified by their doctor as terminally ill, with a prognosis of 6 months or less if the disease runs its normal course, and the patient has stopped curative treatment.
What happens if someone outlives their 6 month prognosis?
If the disease does not run its normal course and the patient outlives the initial 6 months period, they may remain on Hospice care as long as their prognosis continues to remain the same. If a patient's prognosis improves or if they decide to resume curative treatment they can be discharged from Hospice care but may come back to Hospice at a later date if they decline or stop curative treatment.
How much does Hospice charge patients for their care?
Hospice of the Foothills never sends a bill to patients for any of its services and waives any insurance co-payments. Hospice of the Foothills seeks reimbursement from Medicare, Medi-Cal and private insurance.
What if a patient has no insurance of any kind?
Hospice of the Foothills will provide its services to all patients equally regardless of ability to pay.
Do you have to have cancer to be eligible for Hospice?
No. Hospice is for anyone with a terminal diagnosis of any kind, e.g. end stage Alzheimer's, end stage heart or lung disease, terminal disability or failure to thrive.
Who is on the Hospice team?
The team includes: Hospice Medical Director, Attending Physicians, Registered Nurses, Home Health Aides, Physical Therapist, Medical Social Workers, Dietary Counselor, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Bereavement Coordinator, Respite Volunteers (up to 4 hours a week) and Professional Services Volunteers (massage therapy, hairstyling) as available.
Which Hospice services are provided free of charge?
All of the team services including 24 hour on-call availability of nurses and social workers, durable medical equipment (hospital beds, oxygen, commodes), medical supplies (bandages, catheters), prescription medications related to the terminal illness, hospitalization due to symptom control or short term respite for the caregiver.
What services are not covered by Hospice for their patients?
Services for conditions unrelated to the terminal illness or services for the terminal illness that are not approved by the Hospice program are not covered. An example of an unrelated condition would be if you had a terminal diagnosis of cancer and were in an auto accident. The injuries you sustained in the accident could be covered by your regular Medicare benefit or Private Insurance but not by the Hospice benefit.
Does Hospice provide care in a nursing home or long term care facility?
Absolutely. However the Medicare Hospice benefit does not cover the room and board expenses. Hospice will pay the room and board expenses for Medi-Cal patients receiving Hospice care in a nursing home.
Does Hospice provide 24 hour caregivers for their patients?
No. This is a common misconception. The goal of Hospice is to support families in the care of the terminally ill, not to replace family care. Families are taught how to care for and support the terminally ill. Hospice provides a list of caregivers that families may employ to supplement their own care.
Who can I contact about getting Hospice care?
You may call Hospice of the Foothills at (530) 272-5739 or send an email to info@hofo.org Ask for the intake coordinator who will help you begin the process.
Does a patient need to be referred to Hospice by a physician?
While a physician can refer a patient to Hospice, it is not mandatory. A family member or the patients themselves can refer to Hospice and the Hospice staff will coordinate with the attending physician.
What bereavement services does Hospice provide?
Hospice of the Foothills provides bereavement support for the survivors of our patients and for the entire community. All our programs are free of charge (camps have a fee to cover food and lodging) and are available to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one. You don't have to be associated with Hospice or have used their services, to join a support group or participate in any of the other Hospice Community Bereavement programs.
Hospice clients may request visits from volunteer bereavement counselors.
Traumatic death, suicide or murder support is always available.
Hospice can respond immediately to a death at any Nevada County educational institution with a counseling program. We serve all schools public or private. Staff in-service and peer counselor training can be scheduled throughout the year.
What are Hospice bereavement support groups?
Hospice support groups provide companionship to combat isolation and an opportunity to learn from each other. Talking with others who have also suffered a loss will help you better understand your feelings. Support groups are 6 to 8 weeks long and are held throughout the year.
To learn more about our bereavement programs please call Hospice at (530) 272-5739 and ask for our bereavement coordinator, or send an email to bereavement@hofo.org
Does Hospice provide services free of charge to the community in general?
Hospice of the Foothills provides bereavement and grief counseling to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The deceased did not have to be a Hospice patient for family members to receive services.
Hospice of the Foothills has a free lending library of books, videos and audio tapes covering such issues as death, dying grief, terminal care, spiritual care and near death experiences. All this material is available on loan to the general public for free.
Transitions
Transitions is a free program sponsored by Hospice of the Foothills. It is offered to individuals in Western Nevada County who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness and have a prognosis of one year or less. The goal of the program is to identify the needs of the client and family, both medical and non medical, and offer assistance in fulfilling those needs with referrals and links to existing community resources.
Transition services are completely free of charge and our available to clients in their own homes, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Professional coordination includes links to existing programs such as:
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Meal delivery
• Medication management
• Financial assistance
• Caregiver training
• Support groups
• Senior services
• Transportation services
• Home or Hospice care
We also have specially trained and experienced volunteers ready to listen and offer a caring shoulder. Volunteers are also there to help with errands, chores or light meal preparation; provide a needed break for caregivers and in some cases supply transportation.
Individuals with a life limiting illness who are noticing they are becoming less and less able would benefit from the help of the Transitions Program.
Please call or email Lorraine Starr, Transitions Coordinator at Hospice of the Foothills. (530) 272-5011.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transitions
How is Transitions different from Hospice Care?
Transitions requires a prognosis of 1 year or less, Hospice care requires a prognosis of 6 months or less. Transitions provides referrals to existing community resources. Click on Hospice Services for more details on Hospice care.
Who is eligible for Transitions?
Anyone living in western Nevada County, diagnosed with a life limiting illness and having a prognosis of one year or less
How does Transitions work?
The program utilizes case management and volunteer services to provide information and support for clients and families
How does Transitions determine what services are beneficial to the client?
The Transition's Program coordinator meets with clients and their families to determine what their needs are; researches available resources and puts the client and family in contact with appropriate existing community programs. The coordinator continues to follow up with the families to see that the resources are beneficial and to evaluate for any new needs that may have come up.
What are the benefits of the Transitions Program?
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Case management services that follow, monitor, evaluate and report client changes to the physicians and clinics. |
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Respite breaks for caregivers with volunteer support. |
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Specially trained volunteers to provide friendly visitors to clients. |
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No charge to clients and families. |
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Transportation (when available) |
Who would benefit from being in the Transitions Program?
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Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and have a life expectancy of approximately 1 year, including those who choose to pursue or are currently undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation. |
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Individuals experiencing a progressive medical condition with repeated hospitalizations, a decrease in functional skills and have a life expectancy of 1 year. |
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Individuals that have become less able to care for themselves independently and would benefit from assistance with meals or other appropriate community services to meet their medical needs. |
Is there a charge for the Transitions Program?
No. Transitions is available at no cost to the client.
How do I contact Transitions?
Please call or email Lorraine Starr, Transitions Coordinator at Hospice of the Foothills. (530) 272-5011. |
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