Hospice Support at the Hospice of the Rapidan

Questions About Hospice Care? Call us at 540.825.4840

What Is Hospice?

Hospice is high quality, compassionate end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, and is usually provided in the patient’s home. The premise of hospice is that each of us is entitled to die pain free and with dignity, surrounded by family and loved ones with the support of caring people who understand the process of dying peacefully. Listening to and honoring patients’ wishes are at the core of hospice care.

Hospice care is provided by a team of professionals and volunteers and includes expert medical care, pain management, and emotional, spiritual, practical and grief support tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance.

About Hospice of the Rapidan

bgec doctor Established in 1983, Hospice of the Rapidan is a licensed, nonprofit, community based hospice provider offering a comprehensive program of professional medical care and social, spiritual, and grief support for patients with life ending illnesses and their families.

The professional staff and volunteers at Hospice of the Rapidan are committed to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well being of their patients and the people who care for them. Hospice of the Rapidan is dedicated to helping patients maintain their dignity, comfort and as much quality of life as possible, to helping each patient and their loved ones make the most of the time remaining and to support them as they confront their fears, emotions and grief.

The Hospice of the Rapidan team helps care for patients in their homes, nursing home, hospital or elsewhere and is on call to assist patients and families 24 hours a day. We understand what you are going through and will be there when you need us.

Hospice of the Rapidan serves patients and families in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties. We are here to assist patients of any age, religion, race or illness and no patient is ever turned away because he or she cannot afford our services.

How Does Hospice Work?

506_HHPIC1 Hospice care is suitable for any person who has a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live. The majority of hospice patients are cared for at home. Hospice care is also available in the home of family members, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or hospitals.

Members of the hospice team visit routinely to provide care, answer questions, and make the patient as comfortable as possible. The hospice team provides a variety of services tailored to the needs of each patient, including:

· Management of pain and symptoms

· Providing necessary medications, medical supplies and equipment

· Assistance with the emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of dying

· Guiding family members on how best to care for the patient

· Specialized services such as speech and physical therapy when needed

· Short term inpatient care when appropriate

· Respite (relief) for caregivers when needed

· Grief services and support for surviving family and loved ones

Who Is The Hospice Team?

Hospice is an interdisciplinary, family centered approach to patient care. It is provided by a team that includes:

· the patient’s physician and Hospice of the Rapidan’s medical director

· a hospice nurse and social worker who work with the patient and family in the home

· home health aides

· trained hospice volunteers

· the hospice chaplain and/or the patient’s clergy

· the hospice grief coordinator

When Is The Right Time To Ask About Hospice?

Now is the best time to ask questions and learn more about hospice. End-of-life issues can be difficult to discuss, and it is usually best for families to share their wishes before the need becomes pressing. This reduces the stress and increases the opportunity to get knowledgeable advice and the input of family and other loved ones.

Hospice care becomes an appropriate option when the patient’s physician determines that curative efforts are no longer appropriate or when life expectancy is six months or less. The patient can leave hospice care and return to curative therapy at any time.

How Does Hospice Care Begin?

patient 2 Any patient, family member, friend, physician or clergy can call Hospice of the Rapidan and get immediate information about how we can help. Hospice care can begin immediately upon a referral from the patient’s physician, and a hospice representative typically visits the patient within 24 hours to evaluate his or her eligibility, needs and to begin the care.

What Is Grief Care?

Everyone deals with the grief of losing a loved one differently. Hospice of the Rapidan offers a full range of grief support services to family and loved ones for a year following the death of a loved one. This includes individual support, helpful written materials, workshops and support groups.

Hospice of the Rapidan also offers free grief services for anyone who has lost a loved one regardless of Hospice affiliation.

Is Hospice Care Affordable?

YES. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance cover the cost of hospice care for most patients. It is also the policy of Hospice of the Rapidan to serve all who qualify for hospice care regardless of their ability to pay.