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HOSPICE PROGRAM
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When is Hospice appropriate?
It has been said that there is a moment in a terminal illness when
continuing treatment is no longer a matter of extending life, but is a
matter of prolonging pain. It is in this moment of truth that both
patient and family realize it is appropriate and it is time to no longer ask
a very weary body to endure more trauma, continued and escalating pain and
the increasing indignity of a greatly reduced quality of life.
Our Hospice Team
Left to right: Ginny Archambault, Hospice Director, Nancy Lee,
Volunteer/Bereavement Coordinator, Jeamsie Price, D.D., Hospice Chaplain,
Diane McKenzie, LPCC , Dawna Reyes, LBSW
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 Mrs. Ruie Lucas had been receiving intermittent home health
care services over the past six years. Once her cardiologist informed her
that there are no further curative measures to be taken, she chose hospice care.
Because hospice does not require that patients be homebound, Ruie occasionally
goes out to lunch or to the grocery store. She has friends from the
Women’s Club that come by and play bridge several times a month, as well as
hospice visits from the nursing staff and medical social worker. |
| It is in the moment when individual and familial
compassion happens that the decision can be honestly made to invite the
caring and supportive staff of Hospice, with their many resources, to walk
the final steps of the journey with the patient and the family. |
| It is the role of Hospice to maintain the patient's
dignity, serve their needs emotionally and physically to the highest degree
possible and feasible, and to lend both moral and physical support to the
family. |
| To include Hospice in the dying process is to be assured
of strong and caring support. |
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Hospice is rooted in the centuries-old idea of
offering hospitality to those on a long journey. Today
the hospice movement continues to represent a supportive philosophy and concept
of care available to those whose life expectancy is measured in weeks or months.
Hospice recognizes death as the final stage of life and serves to enable
hospice patients and families to live their final days to the fullest in the
comfort of home, surrounded by their
loved ones.
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| Hospice is a special way of caring for
people with terminal illnesses and for their families. Hospice
addresses physical needs (pain and symptom control), social and emotional needs,
spiritual needs, and bereavement counseling.
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When curative measures are no longer an option,
consider hospice care to provide your loved one with the best possible care at
home.
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We have a highly qualified and experienced staff available to your and
your family to assist in providing the best care possible at home.
The plan for care is developed by the interdisciplinary team members and
with the patient and family.
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The Hospice interdisciplinary team, composed of professionals and
volunteers, includes the patient’s primary physician, the Hospice Medical
Director, RN’s and LPN’s, Home Health Aides, Volunteers, Counselors, Medical
Social Worker, and Hospice Chaplain.
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Most care is provided in the patient’s or family members home by a
primary caregiver. A Hospice RN is
available on-call 24 hours/day, seven days a week to respond to your needs.
A Registered Nurse will visit on a regular basis (determined by your
needs), as well as the availability of the entire interdisciplinary team
members. A Home Health Aide can be scheduled to provide personal care (bathing,
shaving, etc.). Volunteers can assist by providing the primary caregiver with
time out of the home to attend to personal needs.
The Medical Social Worker can assist with connecting the family to needed
resources for decision making regarding financial issues, funeral planning, or
completion of Advanced Directives.
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Clergy and other counselors are available to visit and
provide spiritual support to the terminally ill at home.
We also involve churches and congregations to aid the patient and family
as requested. Our bereavement program provides support for the family and
caregivers for at least one year.
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Under the Hospice Medicare benefit, hospice provides all
medications, medical supplies and equipment necessary to provide this care with
no additional cost to the patient or family.
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The Hospice Medicare Benefit also includes up to 5 days respite care /per
month for the caregiver, up to 3 days of hospital in-patient care for management
of acute symptoms, and continuous home care for brief periods of time when
indicated. Hospice can arrange for this care and will stay involved in the
patient’s treatment and with the family, resuming in-home care when
appropriate.
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For more information regarding hospice benefits, or for an in-home
evaluation, please contact us.
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All Fundraising activities are conducted by the Ruidoso
Home Care and Hospice Foundation. |
