HOSPICE
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COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES
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MUSIC THERAPY
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GENTLE AND SENSITIVE THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND REIKI
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MEMORIAL BEARS
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AROMATHERAPY AND FLOWER ESSENCE THERAPY
HOSPICE
Hospice empowers a patient to choose how they respond to their diagnosis. We do not always have a choice in what disease our body may contract, but we do have a choice in how we respond to the medical diagnosis. Hospice is one of the choices and it opens the door to acceptance of the life-cycle process. This choice allows us to have some measure of control over our bodies, mind, and spirit. Hospice services allow us to complete our life cycle with comfort, dignity and peace.
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Understanding Hospice
Buena Vista Hospice Care is dedicated to administering the highest quality hospice care while encompassing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their families.
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The Hospice Choice
Hospice is not a place; it is a medical home care approach, encompassing the special needs of those who have a life limiting illness or condition. Hospice care is the choice when the goal is comfort, rather than cure. Hospice provides for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of every patient. It also includes support for the families and the caregivers of the terminally ill patients.
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Buena Vista is dedicated to providing comfort and quality of life for as long as possible
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- WHAT IS HOSPICE?
Hospice is a philosophy of care which concentrates on the palliation (reduction or alleviation) of a terminally ill patient’s symptoms. Palliative care offers relief of pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. It also provides calming and soothing treatment for emotional, spiritual and mental symptoms.
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The idea of hospice began during the 11th century. Then, and for centuries thereafter, hospices were places of hospitality for the sick, wounded, or dying, as well as for travelers and pilgrims. Many of the foundational values by which contemporary hospice services operate, however, were established in the 1950s.
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Today’s hospices incorporate palliative (comfort) care for the terminally ill. The service is provided in private homes, residential care communities and skilled nursing facilities.
Can Hospice make a difference?
Hospice care can dramatically and positively impact quality of life. Buena Vista’s clinical staff members are experts in pain control and other symptom management as well as emotional and spiritual care.
They are committed to the support and education of the patients and caregivers. They empower patients and their families to facilitate the various end-of-life choices such as: care-giving resources, saying goodbyes, healing relationships, and spiritual considerations.
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- SERVICES
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Physician - Medical Director: Works in conjunction with the patient’s own physician and makes home visits as needed. Our Medical Director is board certified in palliative care.
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Skilled Nurses: Trained specifically to work with pain and other symptom management. Nursing staff is available 24 hours a day.
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Medical Social Workers: Specially trained in end-of-life issues, resource management, and emotional support.
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Spiritual Care: Provide emotional and spiritual support as needed.
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Volunteers: Provide assistance and loving care through visits, letter-writing, reading, shopping, friendship, pet visits, plant watering, and more.
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Certified Home Health Aides (CHHA’s): Their role is designed to provide assistance with personal hygiene.
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Medications Related to Hospice Diagnosis & Medical Equipment: Provided along with other supplies at no additional cost to the patient.
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Wide Variety of Stress Management Techniques: Complementary services such as Music Therapy, Massage Therapy, Guided Imagery, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Pet Therapy, and Flower Essence Therapy are included when appropriate.
Not All Inclusive
- WHO PAYS FOR HOSPICE CARE?
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Medicare
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Medi-Cal
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Private Insurance
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
DIRECT PATIENT VISITS
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Provide comfort and companionship
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Read to patients
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Participate in the patient’s hobbies
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Water plants
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Encourage the patient to tell their life story
ARTS & CRAFTS
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Lap blankets
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Pillows
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Flower arrangements
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Stuffed memorial bears
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Gift baskets
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And other creative endeavors
CAREGIVER RELEIF
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Provide much needed respite to family caregivers by sitting with the patient while family takes an hour or two break
ADMINISTRATIVE
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Office and staff support
YOUR INVOLVEMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR ELDERLY
- BENEFITS OF HOSPICE VOLUNTEERING
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Give back to your community.
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Help people LIVE their lives fully and, in the process, learn how to LIVE your life fully.
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Gain personal fulfillment by helping others.
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Establish meaningful relationships with others.
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Help lonely people feel loved and cared for.
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Feel uplifted and appreciated.
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Be a part of a wonderful, loving team.
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Help provide peace for those in transition.