At Amedisys, we believe strongly in the profound impact of hospice care, recognizing it as a gift that provides comfort, dignity, support and quality time for the patient and their family during the end of life.
While most Americans prefer to die at home, more than half of patients eligible for hospice do not elect to receive it. Among those who do, most only experience hospice care for a few days or weeks, despite the fact that patients with a life expectancy of six months or less are eligible.
Unfortunately, because of this, one of the most common phrases we hear from patients’ families is, “We wish we had known about hospice sooner.”
As you and your family navigate your loved one’s health challenges, be sure to recognize the signs it may be time for hospice and begin having the hard but necessary conversations about their wishes and goals for the time remaining.
Is hospice the answer for you or a loved one? Complete our brief form to speak to a specialist.
*If you are a current Amedisys patient, please contact your Care Center directly.
A Holistic Approach to Care
Hospice focuses on the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual well-being. The interdisciplinary team is committed to honoring patients with the highest quality of care possible surrounded by the warmth of compassionate and personalized care.
In addition to direct care provided by nurses and aides, hospice includes access to social workers, volunteers for added companionship, chaplains for spiritual support and bereavement support services for those left behind.
The Gift of Comfort and Quality of Life
Hospice care helps patients understand what really matters to them, whether it be living the best quality of life possible, sharing time with loved ones, making new memories and striving for any specific goals like seeing a grandchild married, renewing marital vows or experiencing new things.
By managing pain and symptoms wherever they call home, patients can hone in on how they want to spend their remaining time, restoring hope for a peaceful and meaningful experience.
The Gift of Support
A key benefit of hospice care is the support it provides to caregivers and families, including:
- Emotional support through medical social workers to help families understand the end-of-life process and cope with associated grief.
- Assistance with personal care, meal preparation and light housekeeping with hospice aides.
- Spiritual support from chaplains to help family members find comfort and peace.
- Bereavement support for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one.
This added support helps alleviate some of the stress family members undergo so they can focus on spending quality time with their loved one.
The Gift of Time
At the end of life, time is the most precious and fleeting resource. Hospice helps give patients and their families the ability to spend their time reminiscing on old memories, making new ones and finding joy wherever possible.
Why Choose Amedisys for Hospice Care?
Choosing the right hospice provider can make all the difference for your loved one’s final days. Consider the following in your search:
Quality Care
Amedisys is consistently rated above the national average on all Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality measures. Our teams use evidence-based clinical practices to inform our clinically distinct care.
Personalized Plans of Care
Our teams take the time to get to know each patient so we can tailor care to their goals, needs and desires with input from the physician and family.
Trained, Caring Staff
At Amedisys, we call all our team members “caregivers” because whether we work in a corporate, support or clinical role, each of us works to enable high-quality care to those who need it the most. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened and receive ongoing training, so you have peace of mind.
Specialty Programs
Amedisys offers a Dementia Specialty Program to improve quality of life for those suffering with end-stage dementia in most locations. We’re also proud to participate in the We Honor Veterans program, providing the care veterans need at the end of life.
If you’re ready to speak to a hospice specialist, complete the form below or call a care center near you from our location directory.
