HJNO Jul/Aug 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2023 51 Melissa Brunvoll Marketing Director Assisted Living and Nursing Care Lambeth House will pass away as soon as they are enrolled. Posner says that everyone’s timeline and path are different. She has seen some resi- dents pass fairly quickly, while others have utilized hospice services for longer periods of time. Posner says, “It is a spectrum. The whole idea is to meet the patient where they are and meet their needs as they arise.” Finally, Posner says that a lot of people share the misconception that you must go to an inpatient hospice facility to receive hospice services, which is not the case. People are able to receive hospice care in their homes as well as in a nursing home setting. They do not need to be transferred to an inpatient hospice unit, although that is certainly an option for some. Important questions to ask When guiding patients on their hospice journey, Posner says there are a few ques- tions she would encourage them to ask while interviewing different hospice com- panies. 1. What level of consistency is the hos- pice company able to provide with their staff? For instance, can you ex- pect to have the same nurse and CNA every week, or will there be a constant rotation? It is important to knowwhat to expect from the beginning, so you are not disappointed down the line. 2. Does the hospice company have a network of support for families, such as social services professionals and a chaplain? Posner says these services can be very beneficial when it comes to assisting with coping skills and grief therapy. 3. How does the hospice company com- municate with the patient’s primary care provider? Posner says com- munication between hospice and primary care providers is important because the primary care provider usually has a longstanding relation- ship with the patient. They will be able to provide insight to the hospice company so they can ensure continu- ity of care. Overall, choosing to start hospice care is a deeply personal choice, but it can pro- vide comfort and support during the last days or months of someone’s life. It can also allow family members to spend more quality time with their loved one due to the care and resources provided. What could be more valuable than quality time? n REFERENCES U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Hospice care.” Accessed June 2023. https:// www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care National Institute on Aging. “End of Life: What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?” Reviewed May 14, 2021. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/ what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care medical equipment (DME) through hos- pice, such as a hospital bed, wheelchair, Geri chair, and, in some cases, a Hoyer lift. Hospice also provides medical supplies, such as items for incontinence care, and medications related to comfort. Oxygen, suction, alternating pressure mattress top- pers, and other comfort-related items can also be provided by hospice at no cost to the patient. In addition to the supplies provided by hospice, they also provide families with ac- cess to certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to assist with bathing, nurses to assist with medication management, and a medical director to oversee their case. Many times, social workers and chaplains are also available through the hospice company to provide extra support and grief counsel- ling to family members. Common misconceptions According to Posner, many families might be hesitant to begin hospice ser- vices due to common misconceptions sur- rounding hospice care. The most severe misconception, Posner says, is equating hospice with euthanasia, which she says is certainly not the case. The goal of hospice is to provide comfort care at the end of life, not to speed up the process. Going hand in hand with this miscon- ception is the general idea that someone