Hospice

More About Hospice Care

By: Carla Rodriguez, RN, C, CHPN

If you or one of your loved ones is currently facing a life-limiting illness you may wish to discuss hospice care. Hospices provide comfort-oriented care to people with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. The care is provided in your home, assisted living facility, or extended care facility. Patients requiring short term acute care can be admitted to a hospice inpatient facility.

Patients and families receive care by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, pastoral counselors, music therapists and volunteers, who work closely with the patient’s primary physician. While the focus of care is to assure comfort for the patient by controlling their physical symptoms, the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family are also important aspects of the care provided.

Hospice care is available to persons of any age experiencing any life-limiting illness. Hospice care is fully covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances. However, patients are admitted without regard to ability to pay.

If you would like more information about hospice care available in our community, contact Hospice of Palm Beach County at www.hpbc.com or call (561) 848-5200.

Carla Rodriguez, RN, C, CHPN

This article was prepared by Carla Rodriguez, RN, C, CHPN, who is an inpatient staff/ relief charge nurse at Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc. Carla Rodriguez is a Congregational Nurse at Christ Fellowship and a member of the Healthcare Advocacy Ministry. She served as a Parish Nurse in the community prior to coming to Christ Fellowship.