Hospice – What Does it Mean?

Article submitted by Michelle Calagaz, Account Executive, Wiregrass Hospice. For further information, please call 251-340-6387.

Many have heard the term “hospice”, but may not understand the full meaning of hospice. The American Heritage Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines hospice as “a program or facility that provides palliative care and attends to the emotional, spiritual, social, and financial needs of terminally ill patients at a facility or at a patient's home.” Diseases most often seen include lung disease, heart disease, cancer, end-stage Alzheimer’s, ALS, liver disease and AID’s.

Hospices provide care in the home, nursing home and assisted living facilities. A person is eligible for Hospice care whose life expectancy is six months or less, when they are no longer seeking aggressive treatment, and when their personal physician agrees that hospice care is appropriate.

Services include regular visits by a nurse, a home health aid, and a social worker. Also available are a volunteer, a chaplain and bereavement follow up. All of the interdisciplinary team members are vital because Wiregrass practices a holistic approach.

Hospice services are covered by Medicare (Part A) and Medicaid as well as most private insurances and managed care plans. The Hospice Medicare Benefit covers the aforementioned team services, all home medical equipment and supplies related to the terminal illness, and all medications related to the terminal illness.

Community education is an important part of hospice presence in local communities. As part of their efforts to inform the public of this service, all provide guest speakers for local church, social, and professional groups.