Hospice Care

When you or a loved one has a life-limiting illness, it can seem like your world has been shattered. You might feel powerless, scared or alone. Where do you turn for help? Pallatus Health is here to support you during these challenging times.

In today’s society, healthcare is often focused solely on the cure. But what if there is no cure? In the past we might have been told, “There’s nothing more we can do.” However, with hospice, there is always more that can be done. 

Hospice is a compassionate care program where the main focus is on comfort. Patients can complete their lives with comfort, honor, dignity and meaning. It’s about making the most of each day, every day, in the comfort of your own home. 

“The focus of hospice care is to enhance the quality of life that is left. Hospice affirms life. It neither hastens nor postpones death.” – Adapted from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Hospice Philosophy Statement

When is it Time for Hospice?

Choosing hospice care may be one of the hardest choices you have to make. However, it’s an important choice to explore. Hospice care usually begins when a doctor decides the patient’s life expectancy is 6 months or less. Signs it may be time for hospice include:

• Frequent hospital visits or trips to the ER
• Rapid decline in overall health despite medical treatment
• Uncontrolled pain, nausea or vomiting
• Inability to perform daily tasks without assistance
• Restlessness 
• Decrease in food and fluid intake

What Does Hospice Care Provide?

Hospice care is a special kind of healthcare. At Pallatus Health, our program is designed to meet the needs of a patient and their family. Quality of life becomes the focus where patient’s and family’s needs are considered as a whole (emotional, spiritual, social and physical). Hospice care provides: 

• Unique plan of care that constantly evolves with the patient
• Treatment of pain, shortness of breath, constipation, nausea, and other symptoms
• Medicine, supplies, and equipment to treat symptoms and enhance comfort
• Medication management to re-evaluate the treatment utilized to ensure optimal comfort and minimal side effects
• Emotional, spiritual and social support for the patient and their family
• Education, training and support for family caregivers
• Family caregiver training program with over 20 short courses
• Counseling and grief support for loved ones that continues for years

Caregiver Presence in Hospice Care

We understand the need for hospice patients to have normal day-to-day lives and a steady routine. Therefore, our caregivers work with each patient and their family members to figure out exactly what each patient needs to make their lives as comfortable as possible. 

Pallatus will provide wheelchairs, medical beds, durable medical equipment and whatever else the patient may require. We will even deploy mattresses and hygiene equipment to expand on patient comfort. 

Hospice Patient Intake

We know logistical headaches are a fear for every family, so when a patient and their family decides it is time for hospice, we take the necessary steps to ensure intake into our system goes as smoothly as possible.

Every patient begins with a comprehensive assessment by a registered nurse. This compassionate clinician evaluates the patient’s physical, emotional and psychological state to determine how our services can best help them and their family transition.

Within 48 hours, we send a medical social work to conduct another evaluation from their own unique perspective. These two professionals then compare notes to develop the best care plan possible. At this phase, our team will determine if home care or facility care would be the best hospice setting. We will also decide whether help from partner resources, such as Meals on Wheels or Helping Hands would be required.

Therapies Offered With Pallatus Hospice Care:

Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Pet Therapy
Reiki Therapy
Therapeutic Touch
Massage
Aromatherapy
Music Therapy
Art Therapy

What Our Patients Have to Say:

“I don’t think I could’ve had a better service. In the sense that they [Pallatus Health] are always accessible. Whatever I need, they try to accommodate me as quickly as possible. As far as supplies or the nurse coming out, they’ve been really great.” – Daughter of Pedro U., Patient