We understand you have questions regarding the end-of-life care process. Our team is eager to answer any of your queries
Caregiver Support Groups
Facilitated by loss and grief professionals, this group is intended to offer stress management education and emotional support via Zoom to hospice caregivers who face the struggle of families facing the end of life journey.
Hospice Caregiver Basics
Your seriously ill loved one is not only your loved one but your patient as well. It is your duty to assume the caregiving responsibilities to ensure their wellness. Should you need help, our hospice team can give you the support you need and may even act as a primary hospice care provider to help you process the situation along with the patient. We will designate a physician, nurse, aide, social worker, chaplain, and volunteers to oversee the care of your loved ones and keep them as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
Support by Medical Condition
Hospice care can help patients with serious illnesses or terminal conditions alleviate the pain ad manage the symptoms of their disease, whether kidney disease, COPD, cancer, stroke, heart disease, or Huntington’s disease, among others. We can provide patients with pain-relief approaches, caregivers & families with disease prevention tips, and more information about certain diseases that run in the patient’s family.
We also work with your healthcare providers to ensure that you are taking the right medications to manage your condition until the end of your life’s journey. We see to it that you take the prescribed medications at the right time and with the appropriate dosage.
What to Expect from Hospice
Admission Visit
During admission visit, prepare the following documents:
- Current medical coverage cards (e.g., Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) card, private insurance, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, TRICARE, etc.)
- State-issued photo ID or passport
- Copies of any advance directives, including a living will, Five Wishes, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and Do Not Resuscitate Order
- Information about the patient’s medications and dosages
- A list of medical equipment the patient is using
- Information on healthcare providers who worked with the patient before
- Contact information for any loved ones who should receive updates about the patient
Hospice Admissions Consultation
Patients are often referred to hospice by a physician, case manager, or social worker after the patient has received a prognosis of six months or less.
The patient and their family may or may not be informed of the prognosis. Hence, Amore’s admissions specialist is ready to provide the patient and family with all the information they need about their care options, what hospice service entails, and the responsibilities of the patient’s caregiver.
The Transition to Hospice
Once the patient and the family decided to avail of hospice care, Amore will make sure that all paperwork is done. However, if the patient and the family are referred by a physician to Amore to get hospice care, we likely have all the files for the admission already.
The patient or their legal representative must consent to cease the curative treatment to start receiving palliative end-of-life care. Amore will reach out to the patient and their family in a short while for confirmation of the transfer from the hospital or any care facility to the patient’s chosen setting to receive hospice care. Our care team will assist the patient and the family, from start to finish, including developing the care plan that best fits the patient’s condition.
Telehealth Hospice Admissions
We offer a user-friendly telehealth platform for virtual hospice admissions, care coordination, advance care planning, and other critical hospice functions. We communicate with hospice patients and their families remotely, which may include audio and video communications. We are available 24/7 so patients can contact us whenever they need consultations. Our virtual hospice nurses will include:
- Reviewing the patient’s symptoms with the patient and, if appropriate, caregiver
- Discussing the patient’s care goals
- Conducting a comprehensive patient assessment with their caregiver or current healthcare provider
- Reviewing and monitoring the patient’s current medications
- Evaluating the patient’s preferred care setting to determine which medical equipment may be appropriate
Grief and Bereavement
Losing a loved one is a challenging process, and coping with grief that comes along with it is different for everyone. The only way to overcome the pain is to work through it through bereavement services or registering in support groups.
Feelings can be easily misunderstood when your loved one dies, especially among children. This is why Amore Hospice is here to help both young and adult grievers cope with their loss and move on with their life with a brand new positive perspective.
