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Benefits of Earlier Admission

Hummingbird Hospice is committed to helping patients who elect and desire to receive their hospice benefit once a severe diagnosis is determined and aggressive care is no longer a quality option. ​

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The hospice benefit is not a crisis service for just the last few days of life. It is a team approach designed to care and support the patient and family, as soon as possible, during the last part of life’s journey.

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An earlier assessment and admission allow both patient and family to receive the full benefit of hospice services, to better prepare them for a peaceful transition. Additionally, when pain and other symptoms are effectively controlled, people not only feel better, they have the potential to live a better and more meaningful life.

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According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, “The Commission has previously expressed concern about very short hospice stays. More than one-quarter of hospice decedents enroll in hospice services only in the last week of life, a length of stay which is commonly thought to be of less benefit to patients than enrolling somewhat earlier.” (MEDPAC Report, March 2016, Chap. 11)

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The benefits of choosing hospice earlier includes the following below:

For the Patient

  • Compassion and dignity with an individualized comfort care plan

  • Clinical excellence for pain and symptom management where you live

  • Decreased stress levels to positively affect quality of life

  • Comprehensive care that incorporates mind, body, and spirit

  • Reduction in unnecessary re-admissions to hospital / ER visits

  • Help with focusing on and developing personal goals before death

  • Preparation and coordination of advance directives

  • Reduced stress of traveling back and forth to hospital

Senior Portrait
Image by Esther Ann

For the Patient and Family

  • More control of the situation

  • Emotional and spiritual support for grief and counseling

  • Have closure with everyone together

  • Become knowledgeable and comfortable with the transition process

  • Achieve peace with pending decline

  • Expert assistance and time to prepare for personal and financial matters

  • Save on expenses for medication, equipment, and supplies related to the terminal condition

  • Better communication with healthcare team for symptom management

For the Family

  • Able to observe their loved one in a more comfortable state during a difficult time

  • Opportunity to improve the quality of life of their loved one, for the time that remains

  • Develop relationship  and receive support with a bereavement counselor or social worker earlier, during a difficult time

  • Learn and receive education to assist and care for their loved one

Image by Jessica Rockowitz
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