Core Services: Hospice Service delivered with compassion.
How does one qualify for hospice?
When a physician identifies a six-month prognosis for a life-limiting disease, that qualifies an individual for the hospice benefit under Medicare and most other insurance. The diagnosis also includes the physician’s assessment that curative treatment is no longer effective.
But, if patients improve, go into remission, or seek clinical therapies (clinical trials) that were not available at the time of their hospice enrollment, they may switch from hospice to Medicare Home Health if they no longer meet hospice criteria.
What is paid for by hospice?
The hospice benefit pays for most drugs, supplies, and equipment related to the hospice diagnosis. In addition, the hospice benefit pays for hospice staff, who are available 24/7. Hospice staff consults with patients, families, and physicians about changing symptoms and conditions. Staff visits match the level of acuity and need, including shifts of care or inpatient services.
Hospice Service provides care for clients coping with:
- Cancer or other end-stage disease
- Congestive heart disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Neurological disease (e.g., Parkinson’s, ALS)
- Renal disease
- Liver disease
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS/HIV)
- Progressive decline in status despite curative treatments
- Frequent hospitalizations
- Repeat or multiple infections
- Increased or uncontrolled pain
- Progressive/profound weakness and fatigue
- Shortness of breath with or without oxygen
- Dependency (decrease in ADLs)
- Alterations in mental status
- Continual weight loss
Hospice Service includes:
- Hospice
- Medicare-certified Home Healthcare
- Personal Support Services
- Inpatient Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Care (at a skilled facility that is a part of the Covenant Family of Services)
- Medicare-certified Hospice Services
- Nursing
- Social work
- Pastoral care
- Volunteers
- Therapy
- Bereavement
- Personal Care Support Services
Supervised by a licensed nurse, our caregivers support patients and their families.
- Live-in care
- Personal hygiene care
- Medication reminders
- Companionship
- Homemaker services, including laundry, meal preparation, light cleaning
- Respite care
- Medicare-Certified Rehab & Home Health
When you need skilled assistance, we can bring the right mix of services to your door.
- Skilled nursing available 24 hours
- Rehabilitation, including physical, speech, occupational therapy
- Certified home health aides
- Medical social workers
- Disease management programs
- Inpatient Rehab & Skilled Nursing Care
When in-home care is not an option, the skilled nursing centers in the Covenant Family of Services combine exceptional medical and therapeutic care with a uniquely personal approach to maximizing well-being.
- 24-hour, high-acuity care provided by registered nurses
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy available 7 days a week
- Private accommodations
- Client-directed care
- Alzheimer’s Association-certified staff provides memory support
Covenant Care Hospice specialists are licensed nurses, when needed, and specially trained home healthcare providers. Educating our patients and their families regarding treatment and expectations is an integral part of the program.
