Patients and Families

The St Joseph Villa Hospice philosophy is based upon caring for the patient and their family who are facing end of life changes and decisions. Emphasis is placed on improving the quality of life through symptom management, pain control and compassionate support in the comfort of the patient's home wherever home may be. The purpose of Hospice care is to enable patients to live as fully and as pain free as possible by ministering to their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, as well as to the needs of their family. Hospice always affirms life, and neither hastens nor postpones death.

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What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care serves those in the end stages of illness who have chosen to focus on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments and measures. Hospice care provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice care treats the person and symptoms of disease, rather than treating the disease itself. Emphasis is placed on improving the quality of life through symptom management, pain control, and compassionate support. If you or a loved one is facing a life-limiting illness, you don't have to face it alone. At St. Joseph Villa Homecare & Hospice, we are here to support you.

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When is the right time?

Knowing when it is time for hospice care can be difficult. When quality of life has declined and symptoms may be escalating, or when treatment can no longer cure or control a life-limiting illness, it is time to call St. Joseph Villa Homecare & Hospice. We work with the patient and physician to determine eligibility, but we encourage patients or families to call at any time to discuss hospice care or to arrange a visit for any evaluation. Patients and their families benefit most from hospice services when intervention begins early, as early admission allows time for hospice to relieve symptoms and facilitate a trusting and open communication that nurtures relationships.

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Am I eligible?

Early intervention helps the patient and family live the remaining months with as much comfort, vitality and dignity as possible. While no specific number of symptoms is required when qualifying for hospice, these guidelines can help determine if a patient's condition is, or will soon be, appropriate for hospice care. You may be eligible for hospice care if:

• Patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting terminal illness usually with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease takes its natural course

• Frequent hospitalizations in the past six months

• Progressive weight loss

• Increasing weakness, fatigue, and somnolence

• Compromised Activities of Daily Life (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring/walking, and continence

• Deteriorating mental abilities

• A change in cognitive and functional abilities

• Recurrent infections

• Skin breakdown

• Specific decline in condition
   

We provide hospice care for those facing a variety of illnesses, including but not limited to:

• Cancer

• Heart Disease

• Stroke/CVA

• Parkinson's

• COPD

• Kidney/Liver Disease

• ALS

• AIDS

• Alzheimer's

• Neurological Conditions (Non-Alzheimer's Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease)

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What does it cost?

Hospice is a benefit that is 100% covered for eligible patients under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. This benefit covers the hospice team's services, medications, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis. Hospice works closely with patients and insurance providers to determine potential out of pocket costs, if any.