Hospice Services
Hospice services for persons with dementia include all products and services related to the diagnosis of dementia including:
- The hospice team, which includes a physician, nurse, social worker, nurse's aide, chaplain, dietician, pharmacist and volunteer.
- Individualized care tailored to the patient and family goals of comfort and quality of life.
- Supplies, equipment and medications.
- Service where the patient resides, including a private or group home, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility.
- Inpatient services for symptoms that are out of control.
- Breaks for caregiver relief. The patient can stay up to five days in a skilled nursing facility or hospice palliative care unit.
- Grief counseling for family caregivers after a death.
The cost of hospice care is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. Charges not covered include room and board, as well as any products, medical care and medications not related to the diagnosis of dementia (for example, visits to a cardiologist and medications for cardiac disease when the person is receiving hospice care for dementia).
If it is too soon for hospice, your loved one may still be eligible for other Hospice of the Valley services, such as:
- H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Memory-Impaired Elders) Program - Education and home visits by a nurse, social worker, and occupational therapist to patients who are Medicare eligible, primarily homebound, but not yet eligible for hospice care. The goal is to improve quality of life and manage behaviors. People are on the H.O.M.E. program for an average of two to three months.
- Home Health - Short-term nursing and therapy services that allow the patient to remain at home.
- Outreach - Support, education, and connection to community resources to meet the needs of patients with serious and chronic illness and their families.
Request a Hospice of the Valley consultation by calling 602.530.6900.
