Facts and Fiction About Hospice Care

Until having a personal experience with hospice care, many are unfamiliar with the support and services that can be provided when a loved one has a life-limiting illness. As a result, there are many common misconceptions about hospice care. Find out the truth about Haven and hospice care services.

THE TRUTH: At Haven, we believe that hospice is about living. We provide a better quality of life at the end of life. Haven programs and services are offered to patients and their families which address the physical, medical, emotional and spiritual challenges associated with life-limiting illness. Haven professionals provide expert pain and symptom management to promote and maximize quality of life. Some patients can engage in favorite activities, visit family and spend time with friends.

THE TRUTH: Medicare defines a hospice patient as someone with a prognosis of six months or less and the state of Florida’s definition is 12 months or less. Patients and loved ones often tell Haven staff that they wished they had enrolled in hospice care earlier. Haven patients and their families benefit from the support of an expert interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, nursing aides, social workers, volunteers and chaplains. Timely access to the right care plan is important – to maximize the quality of life before the situation becomes critical.

THE TRUTH: Haven professionals coordinate the patient’s care and medications with the patient’s physician and other healthcare providers. Haven works with patients and families to create a plan of care that will manage the pain and symptoms of illness and will coordinate that care with the patient’s existing healthcare team.

THE TRUTH: Haven patients are cared for in their home or wherever they call home in North Florida: at their residence, in a skilled nursing facility or in a hospital. Haven provides routine home care, continuous care, inpatient care and respite care. If there is a need for short-term inpatient care, Haven has care centers in Gainesville, Palatka, Chiefland, Lake City and Orange Park. In these welcoming and home-like settings, family members are welcome 24-hours a day and encouraged to stay. Haven also welcomes visits from children and family pets. The care centers also offer overnight, short-term respite care to provide a break to primary caregivers.

THE TRUTH: There are multiple organizations that provide hospice services in the state of Florida. Some organizations are for-profit and others are not-for-profit. Some are accredited and others are not. Haven is a not-for-profit, community hospice organization which is accredited by ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care). At Haven, no one is turned away regardless of their ability to pay.

Choosing hospice services and a hospice care provider are both very important decisions. Spending time researching and understanding the differences between hospice organizations is important so that when this critical time does arrive, you can make informed decisions.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • If you have Medicare or Medicaid, your hospice benefit is covered 100 percent.
  • Haven treats people with all types of life-limiting illness.
  • There is no age limit for obtaining hospice care. Haven patients range from newborns to over 100 years of age.
  • Haven can care for patients and their families throughout 18 counties in Florida.
  • A family member or friend can initiate Haven services for a loved one.

Ask for Haven today and let us know how we can help you and your family. The referral is as simple as a phone call 877.379.6270, or you request a referral through our online form.