What is hospice care?

When is hospice care appropriate?

How does a person qualify for hospice care?

What is palliative care nursing?

Does medical insurance cover hospice care?

How can hospice care be arranged?

Following is a guide to understanding terms you may be hearing for the first time, including hospice care, specialized hospice care for the elderly and palliative care nursing.

If you are caring for aging parents, or have a loved one that requires extraordinary home care services, click here to contact VNANNJ or call us at 1-800-WE-VISIT (1-800-938-4748).

What is hospice care?

Hospice care is an approach to care for the terminally ill begun in 1968 as a way to shift the emphasis of care from impersonal, clinical settings back to an environment of comfort and dignity. The purpose of hospice care is not to hasten or postpone death, but rather to enhance quality-of-life.

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When is hospice care appropriate?

Hospice care is appropriate from the time a patient receives a life-limiting diagnosis of six months or less and aggressive medical treatment is discontinued.

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How does a person qualify for hospice care?

To qualify for hospice care, a patient must have received a life-limiting prognosis of six months or less. VNA hospice services can be initiated at any time after that point. Services can be extended as warranted by patient needs. Click here to contact VNANNJ for more information or call us at 1-800-WE-VISIT (1-800-938-4748) and ask for hospice.

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What is palliative care nursing?

Palliative care nursing combines care and compassion with proven therapies to maintain quality of life through pain relief and physical comforts while working with the patient and family to make informed decisions about end-of-life issues. Each VNA hospice patient and their family is supported by a team of caring individuals assembled and led by a nurse who has achieved National Hospice and Palliative Care (NHPC) certification.

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Does medical insurance cover hospice care?

In most instances, the cost of hospice care is covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. In addition, VNANNJ makes hospice care available to all who need it without regard to their ability to pay.

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How can hospice care be arranged?

Hospice care is arranged by request of the patient, the patient’s physicians, hospital discharge planner, or the patient’s family or friends. Contact VNANNJ hospice care here or call us at 1-800-WE-VISIT
(1-800-938-4748) and ask for hospice.

If you are caring for aging parents, or have a loved one that requires extraordinary home care services, click here to contact VNANNJ or call us at 1-800-WE-VISIT (1-800-938-4748).

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