Caring for the Whole Person
In addition to providing compassionate medical care and pain management, hospice care offers emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones.
Despite the significant and positive impact that hospice care has on patients and their families, only one in three Americans who are eligible for hospice care receives it. That means the other two-thirds are missing out on the opportunity to benefit from comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care and support for themselves and their families – often because they don’t know about, or don’t understand, the benefits of hospice care.
Hospice care is provided wherever a patient lives, and it is delivered by the hospice care team- specially trained physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains and volunteers, who work together to meet the unique needs of each patient and family.
Services offered through hospice care include:
- All medicines, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice care diagnosis
- Medication management to control pain and symptoms
- Physician services to manage medications
- Nursing and home health aide visits to provide direct care
- Support through social work, counseling, and chaplain services
- Volunteer services to provide companionship
- Bereavement services for a minimum of 13 months after a loss
Patients and their families experience the greatest benefits from hospice care when it is accessed early. To find out if and when hospice care can offer you or your loved one the freedom to live ALL the days of your life, contact us at the Amedisys Hospice Care Center located near you.
Just as every patient’s and family member’s needs are different, so too are hospice care providers. Find out how the Amedisys Hospice Care difference can address your individual and greatest needs – at the time when you need us the most.
The Levels of Hospice
Different patients require different levels of care. Amedisys offers the category of care that meets the individual patient’s needs in the location that is most appropriate and comfortable. These categories of care include:
Routine Home Care
At Amedisys, we strive to provide an environment of care that is comfortable for our patients and their families. Often, this means providing care in the patient’s own home. Our team of professionals schedules regular home visits to ensure that medical, social and emotional needs are met.
Inpatient Care
If pain or symptoms cannot be controlled at home, the patient might be taken to a hospital or other inpatient care center. When the symptoms are under control, the patient can return home.
Respite Care
Many patients have their own caregivers, often family members. When caregivers need a rest from their caregiving responsibilities, patients can stay in a hospital or other inpatient care center for up to five days.
Continuous Care
Sometimes a patient has a medical crisis that needs close medical attention. When this happens, we can arrange for inpatient care, or the Amedisys Hospice Care team can provide round-the-clock care in the home. When the crisis is over, the patient can return to routine care in the home.