Janny Adkins

I am always asked, “What exactly does Alive Hospice do?”

Hospice is a program of care for patients and their families who have decided not to pursue curative treatment of an illness. The patient’s physician and an Alive Hospice physician must certify that the patient is hospice eligible. “Hospice eligible” simply means that if the patient’s disease continues its normal course, the patient will die within six months.

So many people erroneously believe that a referral to hospice indicates that they must be only days away from death. For this reason, some patients and their families are hesitant to elect hospice care. While a short life expectancy may be the prognosis for some, hospice patients can live for several months or longer. Death does not arrive more quickly by talking about it, recognizing it as a possibility, or enrolling in hospice care. In fact, we have some patients whose conditions improve after they enroll in hospice.

The truth is, it is possible to live life fully when symptoms are managed from a physical, emotional, and spiritual perspective. Some recent studies also indicate that a referral to a hospice program, for people with some diseases such as congestive heart failure, can extend their lives by 80+ days.

Most of our patients and families tell us that they regret not using Alive’s services sooner, because of the invaluable expertise and support they receive from the hospice team. The team consists of a physician, registered nurse, social worker, chaplain, home health aide, and volunteers. Patients and families also receive coordination of care, nursing education and support, medical equipment, and payment of most medications related to symptom management. Most importantly, Alive provides access 24/7 to nursing support and education.

Hospice care can be provided in the patient’s home, a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in one of our three general inpatient units (GIP). If you would like more information about Alive Hospice services, please feel free to call me at 332-4003.

Janny Adkins is an Alive Hospice account executive who informs health care professionals, patients, and families about hospice care.