Full Life Hospice, LLC is designed to provide physical, emotional and spiritual care for the terminally ill and their families.

OUR GOAL . . .

Is to respect your dignity, privacy, and security. To allow you, the patient, to be a part of the team; setting goals for your personal care.

Services

• Skilled Nursing Services
• Social Services and Spiritual Care for the patient and family
• Pain control and symptoms management
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy, and Dietitian Services as needed
• Family education and caregiver support
• Loan of Medical Equipment through out
• Companionship, practical help and family relief provided by volunteers
• Personal care aide for assistance and light housekeeping
• Short-term inpatient care for acute episodes and family respite
• Bereavement follow-up for as long as desired

Full Life Hospice, LLC develops an individualized plan of care. Patients and/or family members may choose which services they wish to receive. ON-CALL help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We also offer the following services to the community:

• Grief recovery groups
• Volunteer training classes
• Professional Hospice Speakers
• Education workshops on death and dying, pain management, advanced directives and hospice care
• Connections with community resources

Our Commitment To You . . .
Quality of life and quality of care go hand in hand. As a client of Full Life Hospice, LLC you will enjoy your independence and individuality with the support of our team of Hospice professionals.

Full Life Hospice FAQ

1. When should a decision about admission to hospice be made and who should make it?
At any time during a terminal illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Full Life Hospice accepts patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less and who are referred by their personal physician.

2. Should our physician raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss the possibility of hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends.

3. If a hospice patient shows signs of recovery, can he/she be returned to regular medical treatment?
Yes. If the patient’s condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive treatment or go on about their daily life. If the discharged patient should later need to return to hospice, Medicare and most private insurance will allow additional coverage for this purpose.

4. What does the hospice admission process involve?
Full Life Hospice will contact the patient's physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. The patient will be asked and guided to sign consent and insurance forms. Medicare patients are also shown how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage.

5. What special equipment or changes do I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
We will assess your needs, recommend any equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain any necessary equipment. The need for special equipment is usually minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses. In general, we will assist in any way we can to make home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible.

6. How many hospice workers are required to care for a patient at home?
One of the first things Full Life Hospice does is prepare an individualized care plan that will address the amount of care needed by the patient. The hospice care team generally consists of a physician, a nurse, a health aide, a social worker, and a chaplain. They visit regularly and are always accessible to answer questions. In addition, hospices provide medications, supplies, equipment, and other services related to the terminal illness.

7. Must family or friends be with the patient continually?
At first, it’s usually unnecessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. However, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, we generally recommend someone be there continuously as the illness progresses. While family and friends provide most of the care, we have volunteers to assist with errands and to provide a break and time away for primary caregivers.

8. Will hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
Hospice neither hastens nor prolongs dying. We provide presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.

9. Where can Hospice care be provided?
The focus is on providing care at home or in the patient's residence. When that does not seem possible, the physician and the Hospice team will make arrangements for hospital or nursing home admission. When the team identify problems beyond their expertise (legal, financial, etc.), Full Life Hospice, LLC staff will refer the family to other community resources.

10. How does hospice manage pain for the patient?
We believe that emotional and spiritual pain is just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so we address each. Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and equipment needed for pain and symptom relief. Additionally, a social worker and clergy are available to assist family members as well as patients.

11. What is hospice's success rate in managing pain?
Very good. The combination of medications, counseling, and other care, provides most patients with a level of comfort that is acceptable to them.

12. Will medications keep the patient from talking or knowing what’s happening?
Generally not. Our goal is to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible. By constantly consulting with the patient, we are very successful in reaching this goal.

13. Who pays for Hospice Care?
Full Life Hospice, LLC never bills a patient or family. Care is provided based on need, regardless of the patient’s insurance or ability to pay. Patients eligible for and electing the Medicare Hospice Benefit are fully covered for Hospice services, medications related to the terminal diagnosis, medical equipment and supplies, and approved inpatient and respite care.

14. Does hospice provide any bereavement support to the family after the patient dies?
We offer continuing contact and support for the family and caregivers for at least a year following the death of a loved one.