Hospice In Skilled Nursing Facilities

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Hospice care is often a misunderstood concept. Hospice care refers to providing dignity and ease of life during the natural process of dying. Hospice is offered for a person whose doctor has determined has less than 6 months to live. It does not mean that the caretaker is trying to either expedite or lengthen the dying process, but refers to providing a quality of life while the dying process is occurring. Many times hospice in skilled nursing facilities occurs. When this involves providing hospice care in a nursing home, skilled nursing care becomes available around the clock, involves providing medications for residents, address personal care issues, and other needed care to provide the dignity that residents deserve.

As with all skilled nursing care patients, a trained, professional nurse is available to provide care for the residents that can no longer care for themselves, as a result of mental, physical, or emotional conditions. Each patient is supervised by a doctor, which writes all orders, prescriptions and oversees the patient’s total care. The nurses carry out doctor’s orders, ...
... and assure patient’s safety, such as dressing wounds, dispensing medication, and taking care of personal care. In addition, therapists also are involved in the patient’s care, such as a speech, occupational, or physical therapist. In this way, a team assists the patient and provides additional services.

When the patient has been deemed to have less than 6 months to live, one important part of the hospice in skilled nursing facilities is that the doctors, nurses, and therapists involved provide intensive documentation about the patient’s progress, including any side effects, additional conditions, and symptoms the patient experiences. Hospice in skilled nursing facilities should always be patient focused, including when deciding what services will be offered, the cost of said services, and the hospice care agreement. By placing the patient and his/her needs first, potential problems and conflicts of interest can be avoided. In addition, placing the patient first, also assures that the legal and regulatory demands are met. Finally, placing the patient first also assures that the patient’s rights are preserved and the dignity of life is assured.

Hospice in skilled nursing facilities provides dignity and quality of life when a person is dying. In this setting, a team of qualified doctors, nurses, and therapists work with the patient to meet the increasing needs of the patient. In a skilled nursing environment, quality care is provided around the clock, and all progress is carefully documented. The key to providing successful care and hospice in a skilled nursing facility is placing the patient first, and assuring that the needs of the patient are met throughout the hospice term, thus also assuring the regulatory and other legal requirements are guaranteed, and the dignity and quality of life of the patient are assured during the last days of life.