Hospice care is intended to provide supportive care wherever a person calls home during the final days, weeks or months of life. Unfortunately, most people begin receiving hospice care too close to the end of their life. The statistics show that many will pass away within three weeks, and nearly 36% will spend less than one week in hospice care.
Waiting until the last weeks or days of a person’s life does not allow the patient and their loved ones to fully enjoy the benefits of hospice care. At Active Home Health, Hospice & Personal Care, we are working to educate families and caregivers on the incredible value hospice brings when it’s sought out sooner, rather than later.
Hospice Care Can Often Prolong Life, Not Shorten It
Our hospice nurses, counselors, and physicians have seen firsthand how beneficial early access to hospice care can be. Our hospice services in Utah ease stress for family members and, because of attentive, one-on-one care, can actually prolong the life of the patient. In fact, studies have shown that people who elect hospice live for 29 days longer than those who don’t.
By reducing a person’s discomfort and handling at-home medical care needs, our team can actually extend the time family members have to enjoy quality moments with their loved one. But hospice isn’t just physical care; we also support the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the family that arise during this time.
Qualifying for Hospice in Utah
Are you wondering how to qualify for hospice care? First and foremost, a physician must certify that you or your loved one has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months to live in order to refer you to hospice care. In Utah, Medicaid or Medicare covers hospice care in full for the last six months of life. If a person has lived for longer than six months on hospice, but their condition has not improved, hospice care can continue as long as the physician recertifies that you are still terminally ill.
Are you considering hospice care for yourself or a loved one? Though it’s not an easy choice to make, it’s one many families wish they had made sooner. At Active Hospice, we offer a free, in-home consultation to help you understand the many benefits hospice offers your loved one and your family.
Read our comprehensive article to learn more about hospice care or contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
