Home Helpers

Understanding Hospice

We all know the numbers 9-1-1. We know how the 911 dispatcher can coordinate police, fire, and rescue services in life and death situations. We know to dial 911 just in case, but we all dread the idea of needing to make that call to save ourselves or a loved one. Just like no one ever wants to dial 911, few seek to learn about hospice, and few know much about it.

The reality is that both patients and those around them benefit from hospice. Hospice is defined as health-care service for the terminally ill that emphasizes pain control and emotional support for the patient and family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life. For example, a patient may battle a disease, and at some point in the treatment of the disease the medical team determines that the disease will take the patient's life within six months. At that point, the medical team changes its strategy from battling the disease to focusing on the patient's comfort and enjoyment of life.

Hospice is an entitlement program under Medicare for those 65 and older who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months to live. Hospice services are available for all ages, but Medicare only pays for treatment of those 65 and older. For those younger than 65, many health care plans cover varying forms of hospice services.

People with end-stage dementia, cardiac, lung or renal disease should consider hospice care. Each person is evaluated individually and care is directed towards the patient's specific needs. Hospice care is not just for the final days of life. Hospice care is of importance for the last six months of life to provide a time of preparation for the patient and their loved ones, empowerment, comfort and transition from life to death.

When the attending physician determines that hospice care is necessary, the physician, patient, family, and hospice team discuss and lay out a care plan for the patient to get the most out of his remaining time. This includes the patients' goals for the end of life. The team includes nurses, case managers, social workers, bereavement counselors, chaplains, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists.
Care is given to the hospice patient as needed and can be provided anywhere, but most commonly in a nursing facility, assisted living facility, or at home. Because many prefer to remain at home, hospice care in the home is often encouraged so that the patient can be the happiest and most comfortable.

It is important to know about hospice services. Some count it a privilege to spend their last days in comfort and care, surrounded by loved ones.
Peggy Durkin, Regional Program Director at Compassionate Care Hospice adds: "Hospice adds quality of life when we cannot predict the quantity of days one has left. Hospice is a unique form of healthcare in that it treats the patient's mind, body and spirit along with support for the patient's family, friends and others surrounding the illness."

Hospice Services of the Lehigh Valley
Aseracare Hospice
5920 Hamilton Blvd., Ste #103, Allentown 18106
610-336-0711 Aseracare.com

Care Alternatives Hospice
501 Office Center Drive, Suite 285, Fort Washington 19034
215-542-2100 Carealt.com

Compassionate Care Hospice
3897 Adler Place, Building C, Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-770-6500 Cchnet.net

Easton Home Health and Hospice
3001 Emrick Blvd, Unit 303, Bethlehem, PA
610-866-2410 eastpahomecare.com

Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice
881 Marcon Blvd, Suite 3700, Allentown 18109
610-266-0134 Hcr-manorcare.com

Interim Healthcare
5925 Tilghman St Allentown 18106
610-434-7277 Interimhealthcare.com

Lehigh Valley Home Care & Hospice
2166 S. 12th Street, Allentown 18103
610-969-0300 LVH.org

Sacred Heart Home Care & Hospice
SpiriTrust Lutheran™
402 West Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18102
800-840-9081 spiritrustlutheranhomecare.org

St. Luke's Hospice
1510 Valley Center Parkway Suite 200 Bethlehem 18017
484-526-1100 Slhn.org