Ask The Doctor

Dear Doctor:  I know someone battling cancer. They simply aren't emotionally ready for hospice and still want more chemotherapy. But they are too weak to fix their own meals or drive themselves to their treatment appointments. Is there anyway Mission Hospice could help them? Signed, Concerned in Millbrae

Dear Concerned in Millbrae,

Yes, we CAN help you. We are now offering a new program, Transitions, free of charge, to all residentsof San Mateo County who are facing a life-limiting illness, with an estimated prognosis of one year or less.

This groundbreaking program offers practical assistance and emotional support, links to community resources, and trained volunteers to clients who may be receiving aggressive, curative care or are simply not emotionally ready for hospice. We've all had friends who are valiantly struggling against life-threatening illnesses, but they are tired and they, and their loved ones, might need a helping hand.

Our Transitions services are available to clients in their own homes, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Our specially trained volunteers ready to listen and offer a caring shoulder, help with errands, chores or light meal preparation; provide a needed break for caregivers or supply transportation to medical appointments or other activities. However, NO medical care is given in the Transitions program.

Transitions services are offered free of charge to anyone in the community regardless of race, religion, color, ethnicity, socio-economic background, age, national origin, physical disability, veteran status, medical treatment, ability to pay, or gender. Although anyone can make a referral to Transitions, your Doctor’s approval is required. Over 100 hospices across America have already started this time-tested program.

Contact the program manager, Matt McCoy, or call 650-554-1000.

Dear Doctor, How can I tell if my neighbor could benefit from Mission Hospice? He's awfully sick and I don't know how to help. Sincerely Yours, Wondering in Redwood City

Dear Wondering in Redwood City,

Hospice care is for any person who has a life-threatening or terminal illness. Most reimbursement sources require a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients with both cancer and non-cancer illnesses are eligible to receive hospice care. All hospices consider the patient and family together as the unit of care.

Hospice care is a philosophy of care that accepts dying as a natural part of life. When death is inevitable, hospice seeks neither to hasten nor postpone it. Mission Hospice has a high staff to patient ratio, because round-the-clock, hands-on care is the hallmark of our hospice experience.

The long-term survival of hospice in America depends on a public that is fully aware of the benefits of hospice and palliative care services. According to a survey conducted by the National Hospice Foundation, 75% of Americans do not know that hospice care can be provided in the home, and 90% did not realize that hospice care can be fully covered through Medicare. However this survey also showed that Americans want the kind of end-of-life services offered by hospice.

Eighty percent of people who use hospice care are over the age of 65, and are thus entitled to the services offered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all aspects of hospice care with little out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family.

The majority of hospice patients are cared for in their own homes or the homes of a loved one. Home may also be broadly construed to include services provided in nursing homes, hospitals and prisons.

Hospice care is a family-centered approach that includes, at a minimum, a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and trained volunteers. The team at Mission Hospice works collaboratively focusing on the dying patients needs, be they physical, psychological, or spiritual. The goal is to help keep the patient as pain-free and lucid as possible, with loved ones nearby until death.

Mission Hospice provides physician services for the medical direction of the patients care, regular home visits by registered nurses, home health aides for services such as dressing and bathing, social work and counseling, spiritual care, medical equipment such as hospital beds, medical supplies such as bandages and catheters, drugs for symptom control and pain relief, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and dietary counseling.

Mission Hospice also provides trained volunteers to aid the family and patients. Most hospice volunteers relieve the primary caregivers, and help with household chores, errands and food preparation. Perhaps the most important task, however, is their ability to be good listeners.

Contact our Director of Patient Services for more information.

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