Caregivers

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Most of the time, a caregiver who is generally either a family member or a close friend is the one who provides non-medical assistance. As it is normally the hospice which provides the medical care for the patient, we usually work in conjunction with the caregiver.  If needed, each member of the hospice team may make one-hour visits two or three times a week, unless more frequent visits are required. 

It is not the intention of hospice care to provide all the hours of care that the individual may need. Usually, this is the job of a caregiver because the primary goal of hospice care is to manage the symptoms and pain of the patient, and this is usually accomplished through the occasional visits from the interdisciplinary team made up of doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, home health aides, and volunteers . 

When you cannot find a family member that will be able to take on the role of a caregiver, then you have two choices moving forward. In the first instance, you can hire a private agency to provide you with care and that will allow you to live at home and to receive these services. The second option is to have them get admitted to a nursing facility type setting, where they will be able to have their own nurses and health aides who will help them with all of their non-medical needs.

In hospice care, you can find the following services:

• Medication same day delivery
• Medical Equipment – Such as hospital bed, oxygen, wheel chairs, walkers
• Medical Supplies – Such as gloves, incontinence supplies, bed pans, lotions, diabetes supplies
• 24 hour on call nursing services
• Periodic visits by the interdisciplinary team which consists of doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, home health aides, and volunteers
• Educational materials for patient, family, and caregiver
• Pain and symptom management
• Grief counseling

I can not afford a caregiver for hospice, what are my options

When it comes to Medicaid assistance, you can choose from two options if you can’t afford a caregiver. If you need assistance in applying in either of these two options, please call us at (747) 755-5181, we have social workers who are able to assist you.

• The first option is to apply for In Home Support Services (IHSS). The funding assistance provided by the IHSS Program will enable you to receive home care services and help you remain as independent as possible at home. You must be at least 65 years old, or disabled or blind in order to qualify for this program. To apply for assistance in paying for a caregiver look up your IHSS Office.
• The second option is the Election of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Nursing Facilities (NFs). The State Medicaid Agency pays the hospice the daily amount allowed by the State for room and board while the patient is receiving hospice care, and the hospice pays the facility. Room and board services include the performance of personal care services, assistance in activities of daily living, socializing activities, administration of medication, maintaining the cleanliness of a resident’s room, and supervising and assisting in the use of durable medical equipment and prescribed therapies. To see if you qualify for Medicaid coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility or Nursing Facilities please contact us at (747) 755-5181.