Approximately 1.5 million Americans receive hospice care each year in order to improve quality of life when their time is limited.
Blue Water Homecare and Hospice Founder and COO, Jennifer R. Prescott, RN, MSN, CDP helps to shed light on how hospice care works, what to expect, and offers examples of services that Blue Water can provide to families during this difficult transition.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care refers to the dedicated services provided to someone at the end of life, once all medical interventions have ceased in order to help make their final days more peaceful and comfortable.
Quality hospice care is designed to not only ensure the comfort, and dignity, of a loved one, but to support and guide their families through this challenging time as well.
Hospice caregivers are typically skilled at orchestrating the multiple combined efforts of doctors, therapists, hospitals/other care facilities, and often numerous family members.
What services does Blue Water Hospice provide?
Our compassionate staff at Blue Water Hospice is led by Registered Nurse Jennifer Prescott, who has more than 27 years of experience in healthcare, end-of-life/terminal care and symptom management. Our goal is to provide comprehensive comfort care for those with a terminal illness and their family. Admittance in our Blue Water Hospice Care program is available around-the-clock, and our nurses are on call 24-hours a day/7-days a week.
We partner with Blue Water Homecare to offer in-home end of life support. A few of the services that we offer to help both your loved one, and you, include:
- Providing baths, performing light massage, and administering oral hygiene and general grooming care
- Assisting with toileting, incontinence and urinary catheter care
- Performing light housekeeping, meal prep, and running errands
- Documenting intake, output, and helping with medication reminders
- Maintaining a safe home environment to minimize falls and assist with safe ambulation
- Serving as a gentle companion for conversation and diversion activities as directed
Who makes the decisions about someone in hospice care?
Each family has the option to choose the physician who they feel is best suited to overseeing their loved one’s final care. It may be their specialist or regular doctor, or a combination of medical professionals. As always, Blue Water works in close conjunction with the rest of those supporting you to devise the most comfortable plan for your family.
Will healthcare providers be notified upon entering into hospice care?
Yes, Blue Water is in regular communication with all of your providers once someone chooses hospice care.
Does Blue Water Hospice only provide care in the home?
No, we can provide care in home, or at nursing homes, assisted living or memory care facilities. We are well-equipped to assist your loved one in any of these settings, in addition to inpatient hospice care if necessary.
Does Blue Water Hospice provide resources to family members while a loved one is in hospice or after they pass?
Yes, we have a dedicated bereavement program that follows families for up to 13 months following their loss. We offer support online, in person, and through regular newsletters/mailings to help family members and friends through the grieving process. Our bereavement team is specially trained to support families through their entire range of emotions as they process a loss and eventually begin to heal.
Does Blue Water Hospice accept insurance?
Yes, we currently accept Medicare.
More information about when to consider hospice care for your loved one can be found here.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you, and your loved one, ease the challenges of this end-of-life transition. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.