In an era when health care consumers are more empowered than ever to make the best, most educated decisions for themselves and their loved ones, we at Hospice of Redmond feel it’s important to note that choice should remain a top priority when it comes to end-of-life care.
When considering comfort care while living the final months, weeks, and days of one’s life, you have options. And, it’s critical you not only research hospice care facilities in your area but that you emphatically ask for your top choice by name when you or a loved one is being placed in hospice care.
After all, this is your decision – one that you deserve – not the decision of your nurse, social worker, or health care provider.
What’s in a Name?
It’s an all-too-common misconception that one hospice provider is just like all the others. This simply isn’t the case, however.
While all hospices are governed by Medicare and must follow all the same basic guidelines, most hospices operate as separate, independent organizations. In other words, no two hospices are exactly the same.
And, the true “heart” of each hospice provider – what separates them apart from all others – can be found in its people, its focus, and the collective effort it puts toward providing patients the highest possible quality of life during their final days.
Here at Hospice of Redmond, we’re a non-profit hospice that views ourselves as a family; one tasked to take care of you and your loved ones’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Because we’re small, our team is well-integrated and hyper-focused on our patients and their families’ needs, ensuring the highest level of compassionate care and bereavement services within the Central Oregon community.
Do the Research
If or when hospice care is recommended to you or a loved one, we at Hospice of Redmond always recommend you empower yourself by first researching your various options. As all hospices are different, one in your area is most likely to match your personalized needs and preferences mostly closely.
In other words, don’t just take the first recommendation you get. With so many factors to consider, we recommend thoroughly vetting your hospice options before making a final choice.
In Central Oregon, Hospice of Redmond is one of four options for hospice care. We recommend talking with representatives from each to learn more about who they are, what they offer, their philosophy of care and pain management, and how it all comes together to provide comfort in one’s final days.
Here are some questions to help guide you through this research:
- What services are available for patients as well as family members?
- Who will likely be on the hospice care team, what roles do they play, how are they trained and managed, and how do they communicate with one another as well as families?
- How will pain symptoms be managed, and what if pain management needs change?
- How involved are family members when it comes to care?
- How does the hospice provider and/or team handle changes in a person’s conditions or circumstances?
- Does the hospice center offer bereavement, counseling and/or spiritual services?
- How is the program accredited, and how is payment/billing managed?
Again, all people entering hospice deserve to have all their final needs met in the most comfortable ways possible, for them as well as their loved ones. So, do not cut corners. Do the research, make the best choice for you, and ask for your chosen hospice provider by name.
To learn more about us at Hospice of Redmond, we would love to answer any questions you have while sharing all about what we feel makes up the “heart” of our organization. Please contact us at 541-548-7483 to talk with us.