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1. What is palliative care? Palliative care is defined by the World Health Organization as a "the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social, and spiritual problems is paramount. The goal of palliative care is the achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families." Our commitment to reducing suffering and bringing comfort and support through palliative care is evident in the variety of techniques and the diverse staff we utilize at our facility. 2. Do you provide home care? We provide hospice care in a patient/resident's home, long-term care nursing facilities, adult foster care facilities, retirement centers and just about any other place a person may reside. 3. Do you provide respite care? Yes. Respite care is an opportunity for our staff to care for your loved one for five days, affording you time to rest and recharge. 4. What makes you different from other hospice groups or other care providers? We are not for profit, and we are not a part of a chain of national care providers. As an independent hospice agency, we are not tied to hospital systems. We are committed to our community and the surrounding communities, and have a team of caring, compassionate professionals that work to deliver the highest level of care available. We work with skilled nursing homes to provide respite and resident care, and we contract with area hospitals to provide inpatient hospice services. Our residential unit is extraordinary, in that patient/resident's rooms are as inviting as a home atmosphere. 5. What makes your service different from other types of care? Our hospice care stands apart from the care provided by other hospice providers because of our delivery of compassionate, pain-relieving and dignifying care. We accomplish this while maintaining our commitment to unparalleled service excellence and through tailoring care and alternative therapies to individual patient/resident and family needs. We are committed to absolute integrity and responsiveness in all we do. 6. What type of credentials does Avalon Hospice have? We are licensed by Medicare and by the State of Michigan. 7. When should the decision to enter hospice care be made, and who can make the decision? The decision to seek hospice care should be made in consultation with your physician or other advance practice care provider. There is a list of criteria related to the condition of the patient/resident that most physicians use to determine if it is time to call upon hospice care. Several options should be considered, and a hospice program should be selected in accordance with each individual's rights by the person or their medical power-of-attorney. An advance practice nurse or physician's order is required for admission to a hospice program. 8. Do I need a referral to enter hospice care? What does the admission process involve? A referral in the form of an advance practice nurse or physician's order is required for admission to Avalon Hospice. The admission process involves collection of basic medical and other pertinent information but is streamlined to flow quickly and without undue hassle during this difficult time. 9. How will I pay for services? Do you accept Medicare? Medicare provides a hospice benefit, as do many insurance companies. Check with your insurance provider for details or contact our Billing Department for assistance in determining your coverage. We will provide a financial analysis for all of our potential clients. Avalon Hospice is committed to providing care to those who do not have the ability to pay. 10. Do patients/residents usually remain under hospice care for the duration of their life, or do some people get better? While the majority of our patients/residents live out the remainder of their life in our facility or under our care in their home, some patients/residents do become healthier and no longer require hospice care. 11. What services are offered to patients/residents? In addition to clinical care, we provide social work and spiritual care support. In our residence, we provide meals, laundry services, alternative therapies, and other services depending upon the individual needs of patients/residents and their families. 12. What support services does Avalon Hospice offer for family members? Can they help make arrangements for funeral services, etc? Family members are provided social work services to help with end-of-life questions, concerns, and planning issues. We also provide respite services. Grief counseling and support groups are provided for 13 months following the death of a patient/resident. 13. What type of medical care will the patient/resident receive? A plan of medical care is provided by a trained nursing staff under the direction of the attending physician and includes but is not limited to pain and symptom management. Pain management is not intended to hasten death but rather, to maximize comfort for patients/residents. 14. What are Advance Directives? Advance Directives are a written document. This document is written while an individual still has the ability to make decisions. Advance Directives are written evidence of a person’s wishes regarding their health care at the end of life. This document would be used only when the doctor determines that your mental capacity will not allow you to make decisions. An Advanced Directive helps your family physician and the advocate you appoint in this document make decisions according to the wishes you have written. For further information talk with an Avalon Hospice employee or go to www.caringinfo.org 15. Are family members allowed regular visitations? Visitation is allowed any time, day or night. 16. Does the residence have private rooms? All of our 12 rooms are private and each one has a unique décor designed to provide a relaxing environment and includes a couch that can be used as a bed for overnight visitation. 17. Does Hospice do anything to prolong or speed up the dying process? No. Hospice care does not prolong or speed up the dying process. 18. Are all of your residents Hospice patients? Yes, everyone who resides in our residence receives hospice care. We do not provide care to non-hospice patients. 19. How do you deal with pain management? We manage pain through the best methods available to us, including a combination of medication and comfort measures. We also utilize other medically supported, alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture. 20. What are some ways family members can care for a loved one facing terminal illness? There are many ways in which family members can care for loved ones. Simply being with the person facing a terminal illness provides tremendous support. Talking about the disease process, death and the person's response and feelings can be quite helpful. Family members should allow loved ones who are facing death to express their feelings and their fears without being judgmental. As death nears, family members can help by speaking to their loved one, holding the person's hand, and by helping ensure the person is comfortable and is treated with dignity. 21. What type of services does Avalon Hospice provide after a patient/resident has passed away? Avalon Hospice provides thirteen months of grief support from the Bereavement Staff. Services include bereavement assessments, monthly phone calls and follow-up visits as needed. Monthly bereavement mailings help to educate the Bereaved in coping techniques that assist them through the grief process. Adult and Children Grief Support groups provide participants with information, support and encouragement in working effectively through the grief process. Click here to read more about Grief Support. Camp Brave Heart is designed to assist children, ages 7 -16, in coping with a significant loss due to death. Click here to read more about Healing Hearts Camp. 22. What is bereavement? Bereavement is a period of time when a loved one's death is being felt and family are learning to cope with the loss. It is a time of feeling alone and missing the loved one. |