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The Choy of Sam |
| Sam Choy’s philosophy about cooking is simple:
Make it fun! |
The Final Journey |
| With the help of hospice, death can be a peaceful, dignified, even joyful experience. |
DEPARTMENT:
Letter
from the Editor
What You’ve Always Wanted to Know
About Hospice, But Have Been Afraid to Ask
Interest
in hospice is rapidly increasing, especially as baby boomers age.
In 2004, there were 3,650 hospice programs in the United States, with
1,060,000 people seeking care, and the numbers are growing.
Still, Kenneth Zeri, president of Hospice Hawaii, points out, “For every person that is being cared for by hospice on Oahu there are probably five or six more that are not. The projections from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization are that in a community, at any given time, there should be one out of 1,000 in hospice care. What that means is that with 900,000 people on Oahu, there should be about 900 people a day receiving hospice care. St. Francis Hospice and we are helping only about 200, so there are about 700 people who would probably benefit from our services.”
What are those services? Ashley Cobb, who wrote the hospice story that begins on page 20, provides answers to that and other frequently asked questions.
Who qualifies for hospice care?
A patient with a life-limiting illness, defined by Medicare as having a life expectancy of less than six months, qualifies for hospice care. The patient, the family and the physician must all agree care will be palliative (comfort-based), not curative.
What are the benefits of hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care for the terminally ill that focuses on care of the patient and family, not the illness. Hospice aids in pain and symptom management; assists with end-of-life wishes; and individualizes plans to meet spiritual, emotional and social needs. Patients can remain at home in comfortable surroundings; inpatient and nursing home facilities are available for those who need them. A skilled team of professionals looks after all aspects of care:
• Nurses perform checkups at least once a week and communicate
with the patient’s physician.
• Home health aides assist with bathing and personal hygiene.
• Social workers provide counseling as well as assistance with
end-of-life planning and legal documents such as living wills and
advanced directives.
• Chaplains provide bereavement and spiritual support for all
faiths.
• Volunteers run errands, prepare meals and provide companionship.
• On-call nurses are available round the clock.
Hospice can provide respite care, support and training for caregivers. For the family, counseling and bereavement services are available up to a year after the loss of a loved one.
Does insurance cover it?
Medicare, Medicaid, HMSA, Kaiser and other forms of insurance cover most costs of hospice. These include medical supplies, equipment, therapies, visits by professionals and paraprofessionals, and medications for symptom control and pain relief. Some insurance plans don’t cover room and board. Charity care is available for the uninsured or financially burdened.
Do doctors refer patients?
Yes, but anybody, including friends and family, can make the initial referral. “They don’t have to do anything except call us once,” explains Kendra Epstein, a social worker with Hospice Hawaii. “Anybody can call, and then we will take the ball and run with it. We will do the research — calling the family, getting more history and seeing what’s happening with the patient.” And it’s never too early to call. “Even if we don’t fit your goals right now,” Epstein says, “maybe in two or three months we will.” Throughout the course of the stay, the patient’s physician continues to be in charge of medical care.
Where can I get information?
Simply call the facility or check out its Web site (contact information is listed in our story). If you’re interested, you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s referral. Says Joy Yadao, executive director of St. Francis Hospice, “Even if it’s too early for a patient to be admitted to a hospice program, it’s not too early to get information.”
How can I volunteer?
A crucial part of hospice is the caring volunteers; St. Francis Hospice has about 150 and Hospice Hawaii has over 200. “A lot of them have been through their own losses through the hospice program, so they know what it’s all about,” says Yadao. Help is needed in all areas, from housekeeping to clerical work. Call St. Francis Hospice at 595-7566 or Hospice Hawaii at 924-9255.