What is Hospice?

Hospice is a Special Concept of Care

Hospice is about comfort, compassion and support for persons and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatment. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort, relieving pain and symptom management. Hospice also deals with the emotional, social, and spiritual impact of the illness and works to promote dignity and quality of life.

Hospice care does not have the ability to shorten or prolong life but it does give a person the power to live life as they choose. At Brighton Bridge Hospice, we believe in the concept of hospice and are committed to assisting our patients and their families in making the end of life the best that it can be.

Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?

Hospice is available to individuals who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, if the disease follows its normal course. This applies to most illnesses, not just cancer.

Hospice can be obtained when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired and comfort care and symptom management becomes the primary focus.

Where is Hospice care provided?

Hospice care is a philosophy and approach rather than a place. Care may be provided in a person’s home, an assisted living facility, a skilled nursing facility, or a hospital. It depends on the family and the personal wishes of the patient who is taking the journey.

Who pays for Hospice?

Hospice is paid for by the Medicare Hospice benefit, Medicaid Hospice benefit and most private insurance plans. Brighton Bridge will help you determine your eligibility and will perform the admission and qualification process.

Who can refer to Hospice?

Referrals to Hospice are made by the patient, the patient’s primary care physician, an attending physician, a family member, or a nursing facility. A patient, a patient’s family or caregiver may contact Brighton Bridge Hospice for information or to schedule an informational visit. We will keep the physician involved in the planning of patients care.

How can I or a loved one get Hospice care?

• We encourage you to have a conversation with your primary care provider about your need for information about hospice
• Call Brighton Bridge Hospice directly at 337-639-9200 or 888-878-0337 to get information or to schedule an informational visit from our social worker or a hospice nurse
• We will coordinate with you and your primary care provider to start hospice services, if criteria is met

Hospice versus Home Health

Hospice is specialized care for patients with a terminal illness and estimated life expectancy of six months or less. The goal of Hospice is comfort, compassion and support for patients and their families when they no longer respond or want cure-oriented treatment. One key difference is that Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team who is professionally trained in end-of-life care. Another difference is that Hospice pays for Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies, Comfort Medicines, and Medicines related to the admitting diagnosis.

Home Health is care provided for patients who are homebound, recovering or recuperating from surgery or requires I.V. drug therapy for an infection from which they are expected to recover. Home health patients receive visits from a nurse, nurse aide, and possibly a therapist.