End of Life Care in Sacramento, CA in the Comfort of Your Own Home at American River Hospice Services
American River Hospice Services, part of the American River Healthcare family of businesses, provides hospice in Sacramento for terminally ill patients that prefer to experience end of life care at home. We provide each patient with the services they need to feel cared for, helping reduce pain, address mental health, provide spiritual support, and ensure that each patient spends their final time with dignity and personalized care.
Serving the entire Sacramento community, our home hospice care is designed around you and your needs. If you or someone you love is ready for hospice, please contact us today via our online form or by calling (916) 242-4600.
About Home Hospice Care
Hospice is about enhancing a person’s quality of life when curative care is no longer possible or preferable. Few places provide the comfort, memories, and happiness as the home. That is why many patients choose to receive hospice care services at either their home or the home of a loved one, where they can feel safe and comfortable as they move forward.
Home hospice involves the same services and comfort as inpatient hospice care. But it also has the added familiarity and security that comes from being in your preferred place of residence. End of life care is about improving one’s quality of life, and that is provided by in-home hospice.
Why Choose American River Hospice Services?
American River Hospice Services has a highly trained, experienced, full team of hospice care workers that cover a wide range of different services. We have specialists on staff that are able to offer you the services you or your loved one needs to feel cared for during this emotionally challenging time. We are able to connect you with healthcare and wellness services that include:
- Nurses
- Speech Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Medical Social Workers
- Spiritual Counselors
- Bereavement Services
- Hospice Aide & Homemaker Services
- Volunteer Services
- Registered Dietitians
- Medication Support
- Medical Equipment
The goal of all Sacramento hospice is comfort. It’s about helping a person feel as best as they can as they move onward with their end of life care. We will work with you and your family on providing anything the patient needs to be comfortable, and bring on anyone that a patient needs to move forward with dignity.
If you are ready to learn more, or to become a patient here at American River, please contact us today.
Hospice and Insurance
Hospice care is covered by many forms of insurance, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most forms of private insurance. At-home hospice care is typically also covered. We are happy to look at your health insurance to determine whether or not it will cover home hospice. Home hospice is usually less expensive for insurance companies, so it is likely to be covered by any insurance that also covers hospice.
Sacramento Hospice Patient Eligibility
Hospice care is designed for patients facing a life-limiting illness or condition. It is typically determined after curative care has been tried or until the patient and their medical providers no longer deem it to be the proper option.
Determining eligibility for hospice care requires contacting our office. There are specific circumstances and information that are necessary before eligibility can be decided. The following eligibility requirements are meant to be illustrative, but only contacting our office can we make a final determination. Criteria include:
- Life Expectancy – Typically, hospice care is appropriate for patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by a physician. This estimate is based on the natural course of the illness. Some patients may be in hospice care for longer in some situations.
- Focus on Comfort Care – Eligibility is also contingent on the patient’s decision to shift from curative treatments to comfort care. This means the focus is on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than trying to cure the illness.
- Physician Referral – A referral from the patient’s primary care physician or a specialist treating their condition is usually required. This referral is based on a comprehensive medical evaluation and the physician’s clinical judgment.
- Individual Needs and Desires – Each patient’s situation is unique, and so are their needs and desires. Deciding on hospice care involves careful consideration of what is most important to the patient in terms of comfort, support, and the quality of remaining life.
We encourage family members to be involved in the decision-making process. Our team is here to provide guidance, answer questions, and support you through these important discussions.
Benefits of Home Hospice Care
Home hospice care plays a vital role in providing compassionate care and support to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. This type of care is not just about making the end of life more comfortable; it’s about enhancing the quality of life in a familiar and loving environment.
This can occur at an inpatient hospice, which is typically at a hospital, nursing home, or other medical center. But at-home hospice care offers many advantages that makes it a good choice for eligible patients. These include:
- Personalized and Compassionate Care – Home hospice care is customized to meet the specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. This personalized approach ensures that each individual’s preferences and requirements are respected and catered to.
- Emotional and Psychological Benefits – Being in the comfort of one’s home, surrounded by personal belongings and memories, can significantly ease emotional and psychological distress during this challenging time.
- Family Involvement – Home hospice allows for greater involvement of family and friends in the patient’s care, fostering a sense of closeness, support, and shared experience.
- Reducing Extra Hospitalizations and Medical Interventions – Home hospice care often reduces the need for frequent hospital visits and admissions, as most medical care and symptom management can be effectively handled at home.
- Cost-Effectiveness – Many forms of health insurance cover hospice, which means the cost to the patient should be minimal (this will need to be determined by learning more about your insurance). However, for those that are paying out of pocket, home hospice care is generally more cost-effective than hospital-based care. Most hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans, easing the financial burden on patients and their families.
Home hospice care is a compassionate choice that offers numerous benefits, centering on patient comfort, dignity, and family support. It’s a holistic approach that addresses not just the physical but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs at the end of life. Choosing home hospice care can provide a peaceful, dignified, and loving environment for both patients and their families during one of life’s most challenging transitions.
End of Life Option Act
The End of Life Option Act is legislation that allows terminally ill adult patients with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to request and use prescription medication to end their life peacefully and on their own terms. This law, adopted here in the state of California, requires a formal process including multiple requests for the life-ending medication, a psychological evaluation to ensure the patient is making an informed and voluntary decision, and confirmation by two physicians of the patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, and mental competence to make such a decision.
The Act is designed to give individuals greater control over their end-of-life care, emphasizing autonomy, dignity, and the alleviation of end-of-life suffering. At American River Hospice Services, we do respect this law and this right, and can provide the services needed for those that wish to pursue the End of Life option.
Common Questions About Home Hospice
Q: Can Patients Change Their Mind and Try Curative Care?
A: Yes. Patients can change their mind and go back onto curative care at any time. Doing so should also not affect their eligibility for hospice in the future.
Q: How Do We Decide When It’s the Right Time to Start At-Home Hospice Care?
A: The decision to start at-home hospice care typically comes after a conversation with the patient’s healthcare provider, usually when treatments are no longer curative or when the side effects outweigh the benefits. It’s the right time when the focus shifts to quality of life and comfort, especially if the patient has a prognosis of six months or less.
Q: Will Hospice Care Take Over All Medical Treatments for My Loved One?
A: Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, so it won’t continue treatments aimed at curing the illness. However, it includes comprehensive medical care related to managing symptoms and ensuring the patient is as comfortable as possible. If additional medical support is needed, those will be integrated as well.
Q: Can We Call the Hospice Nurse at Any Time, Day Or Night?
A: Yes, our at-home hospice care programs offer 24/7 on-call availability. This means you can get support and advice at any time, which is particularly important for managing pain or other symptoms that might arise suddenly.
Q: How Does At-Home Hospice Care Handle Severe Pain or Sudden Medical Crises?
A: Our hospice care teams are skilled in managing severe pain and crises at home. They provide necessary medications and interventions to manage symptoms effectively. In extreme cases, we might arrange for short-term hospitalization to stabilize the patient.
Q: Will Hospice Help with The Emotional and Spiritual Needs of My Family?
A: Absolutely. Hospice care provides holistic support, including emotional and spiritual care for both the patient and their family. This can include counseling, spiritual support based on the patient’s and family’s beliefs and preferences, and assistance with end-of-life planning.
Q: How Does Hospice Assist With The Practical Aspects, Like Medical Equipment Or Medication Management?
A: Our hospice teams coordinate all aspects of care, including the delivery and set-up of medical equipment and the management of medications. We ensure everything needed for the patient’s care is provided and managed effectively in the home setting.
Q: Is There Support From Hospice After My Loved One Passes Away?
A: Our hospice care includes bereavement support for families after the patient passes away. This can include counseling, support groups, and resources to help families navigate their grief and loss.