For Healthcare Professionals
Hospice is a model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice brings a team-oriented individualized plan of care including medical and nursing care, pain management, emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Guidance and support is provided to the loved ones and family as well. The core belief of Hospice is at the end of life, each of has the right to be treated with dignity and free from pain. To quote Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, “We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
Care is available from a NYS and Medicare certified Hospice for anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less should the illness follow the expected course. Health care professionals play an important role helping individuals under your care and their families make the choice for hospice when the time is right, East End Hospice nurses, social workers and medical director stand ready to help.
East End Hospice care may be provided in private homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities, any of our three East End hospitals and the East End Hospice free standing inpatient facility, Kanas Center for Hospice Care.
What services can East End Hospice provide?
East End Hospice provides a full team of professionals and volunteers trained in all aspects of end-of-life care. The focus of care is always on providing expert pain and symptom management, social, emotional and spiritual support for patients, families and loved ones. All care is provided under the direction of the patient’s designated primary physician.
Nursing care – Hospice registered nurses are experienced in all aspects of pain control and symptom management and provide valuable anticipatory guidance to prepare patients and caregivers as the illness progresses with the goal to prevent a crisis or an untoward event. Under the direction of the primary physician, maintaining the patient’s comfort is always the focus of care.
Additional Therapies –Nutritional counseling, physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapy is available as needed.
Personal care – Certified hospice aides assist with personal care and light housekeeping duties, all care is rendered under the supervision of the registered nurse.
Emotional support – Social work focus of care is always on the emotional wellbeing of the patient and family, helping to manage stress and bolster coping skills.
Spiritual care- A pastoral care coordinator has an in depth understanding of ones spiritual needs at the end of life and serves as a link to a patient’s faith community. In addition, the Hospice pastoral caregiver who is an ordained member of the clergy, is available to visit as needed.
Volunteer support – Trained volunteers offer much needed respite for family and caregivers and companionship to patients. Whether it be sitting quietly by the bedside, reading aloud, playing cards, watching a game, or taking a walk, a visit from a volunteer is always welcome.
Bereavement – East End Hospice has robust bereavement programs for children and adults. Adult and children’s bereavement coordinators lead therapy groups and one-on-one sessions when needed. Volunteers, who have received specialized training in grief and bereavement, make monthly phone calls to families. Groups are available to anyone in need, families of EEH patients and members of the community. Groups for children and parents take place at The East End Hospice Good Grief Family Bereavement Center.
When is a patient ready for hospice?
To be eligible to receive hospice care, the primary physician verifies that the patient has a six-month prognosis should the disease runs its normal course. The patient and family understand that seeking aggressive curative treatment is no longer appropriate and the time has come to shift from focusing on a cure to ensuring comfort.
To refer a patient for care or for more information please call East End Hospice at 631.288.8400
Tips about having the difficult conversation:
End of life care and hospice does not mean you can’t do anything else for the patient. It doesn’t mean there is no hope. It can actually be comforting to know there is another source of help and support.
Consider talking about hospice as giving your patients information about all the options available. By talking about hospice, you are helping them choose what might be best and when. Your patients trust you. Your endorsement of hospice care will go a long way in giving them confidence to learn more.
Who should I talk with? The conversation about hospice and end-of-life care could include just the patient, or the patient and a trusted family member.
When should I start the conversation? It’s never too early to discuss end-of-life wishes with patients. Consider discussing the option of hospice when discussing advanced health care directives.
- Many events can trigger a conversation about hospice care, including:
- You determine a patient has a terminal illness
- Your patient has experienced repeated trips to the emergency room or hospitalizations
- You notice a steady or significant decline in your patient’s condition, or the patient or a family member has indicated the same
- Your patient or a family member is discouraged by, tired from, or requests no further treatment
- Your patient expresses a desire to be comfortable, stay where they are, get support for his/ her family, or is concerned about rising medical bills resulting from treatment
- Your patient or a family member asks about hospice care
How does hospice coordinate care with facilities?
Hospice care is available to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, no matter where they reside. Therefore, we collaborate with assisted living and long-term care facilities to provide services to residents who meet the medical guidelines.
Hospice care does not take the place of the care provided by facility staff, but instead enhances the care residents already receive.
Benefits of Hospice Care
- Most health care professionals recognize that as the end of life draws near, patients require more and more care. Hospice professionals can assist facility staff in caring for the increasing needs of these patients.
- Because our nurses work off standing orders, they can rapidly respond to changes in pain and symptom management needs.
- Using hospice could provide financial relief for patients and their families. The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the cost of medications, equipment and supplies related to the terminal diagnosis.
- Patients’ family members can benefit from grief support services offered by Hospice. Knowing their loved ones will be assisted through the grieving process can be a great relief to residents at the end of life.
Responsibilities of the Hospice Staff
- Manage all care related to the terminal illness, including:
– Pain and symptom management
– EEH patient care staff assignments and supervision
– Provision of medications, equipment and supplies
– Approval of therapies (occupational, physical, speech, etc.) and consults - Care plan collaboration and oversight
- Effective communication with facility team
- Provide an on-call nurse 24/7
- Provide and pay for medications, equipment and supplies if they are related to the terminal illness
Inpatient Care Facilities and Hospitals
- Kanas Center for Hospice Care
- Eastern Long Island Hospital
- The Hampton Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Peconic Bay Medical Center
- Peconic Bay Medical Center Skilled Nursing Facility
- Riverhead Care Center
- The Shores at Peconic Landing
- Southampton Hospital
How is hospice paid for?
Hospice is an affordable health care option. Services are paid for in a variety of ways:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private Insurance
- No Form of Payment. East End Hospice provides hospice services to anyone who meets the medical guidelines, even if they have no form of payment.
We have an insurance specialist who will contact the patients’ providers to ensure they receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
For more information about East End Hospice services, please call 631.288-8400 or email info@eeh.org.
