What's the Difference?

We often hear hospice care and palliative care mentioned together, and they are indeed very similar services. There is one key difference though, as this quote from an AZ Central article by Dr. Peter Hedrick explains:

Palliative care differs from hospice care in that patients may continue to receive active, curative treatment and palliation throughout their illness. Patients who opt for hospice must have a probable life expectancy of six months or less and not be receiving aggressive treatment for their disease or condition.

Those under palliative care may stay in a hospital, or transfer from their home or a facility for treatments beyond the scope of hospice while still receiving care focused on comfort and quality of life.  Growing in popularity alongside hospice care, palliative care is becoming the choice of many patients worldwide.

Hearts for Hospice Care

Hospice Care Corporation runs regular fund raising events in order to raise money for its non-profit hospice care services. The latest, "Hearts for Hospice Care," was covered by the Dominion Post, which was kind enough to print this story:

Hospice Care Corporation has launched its 2nd annual "Hearts for Hospice Care" fundraiser to increase awareness and raise money for patients who need hospice services. The campaign will run during the month of February with the support and participation of local businesses and customers.

The goal for this year's campaign is $10,000, which benefits patient care for Hospice Care Corporation, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. All proceeds will pay for patients and families who do not have the insurance or the ability to pay for hospice care services. Every dollar raised stays within the 12 counties Hospice Care serves in West Virginia.

The campaign is similar to those run by many national organizations fighting arias diseases, the one important distinction: "All of the money that is raised will stay right here in our communities to help our friends, neighbors, and loved ones," said Cynthia Woodyard, Vice President of Public Affairs and Access for Hospice Care Corporation. "One dollar dilated by many can make a big difference in our loved ones and neighbors lives, " Woodyard added.

Local business , organizations and individuals are encouraged to participate. You can support Hospice Care's mission through a corporate sponsorship, or allow your customers to donate $1 or more and proudly honor their loved one on a heart displayed in your business. All contributions are tax deductible. Hospice Care provides the materials; you just have to make the call.

Medicare Revisions Hurt Hospice Care

New changes don't bode well for hospice

One new health care regulation has received the ax just days after it went into effect.

The rule said that Medicare would pay for end-of-life counseling as part of an annual wellness visit with your physician.

It was a regulation designed to give you as a patient and your doctor that opportunity to explore options and spell out just what treatments you would or would not want in the last stages of life.

The White House announced Wednesday that the voluntary doctor-patient discussions, for which physicians would have been reimbursed, would not be part of Medicare policy.

This news, reported in the Gainesville Sun, removes a significant benefit from the new health care legislation, hurting the progress of hospice care. Making informed decisions is the cornerstone of any health care process, and by denying aid that would allow all patients to speak with a professional about these decisions many will be left in the dark. Combined with other changes that will keep hospice care program's reimbursement at the level it is now while costs continue to rise, the legislation looks to be having a significant negative impact.

New Challenges for Health Care

Hospice care presents relief for overburdened health care system

“What people are finding is that quality of life is being sacrificed for some short-term relief,” Keochakian said — but the goal of maximizing life at any cost has long been the dominant mindset in American medicine. 

“Hospice is a philosophy, and it’s difficult to switch philosophies midstream.”
Brennan said patients and doctors today share a culture where no procedure or treatment is too much if there’s the slightest chance of buying a little more life.

“And if there’s a reasonable likelihood that you’re going to get what you’re striving for, then God bless you. But by trying to extend life, you might waste some of the precious time you have, in and out of hospitals with procedures that are to your detriment,” she said.

This quote, from a BusinessWest article interviewing several medical experts, describes the dilemma that faces a health care system seeking ways to care properly for an ever-increasing volume of people reaching that age where they require significant attention. What most experts can agree on is that, with its focus on patient comfort and care, rather than expensive and intrusive procedures, hospice care will certainly be a part of this solution.

More Options for Children

Pallative and hospice care have been the focus of a lot of attention over the past couple of years, and as a result Medicare's coverage for these services is evolving. Following yet another regulation change, children in California will now have more options when it comes to life-threatening illness. A quote, from the LA Daily News:

Laws governing public health insurance force parents of dying children to make an excruciating choice: Either pursue treatment for a cure in hopes of saving the child's life, or receive treatment for comfort and pain management.

That will soon change.

This year, children on Medi-Cal will be able to receive palliative care - which includes pain and symptom management, spiritual guidance, counseling and other services - and still be able to pursue life-saving treatment under a pilot program making its way throughout the state.

This pilot program should give more choices, and more comfort, for both children and their parents while facing the difficult choices that come with end-of-life situations.

Medicare Expands Coverage

Thanks to new Medicare regulations, West Virginia's elderly will have an easier time making end-of-life decisions, such as entering hospice care or deciding whether they wish to be resuscitated or put on life support. With the new regulations, patient costs will be covered for consultations regarding all forms of end-of-life care with a physician during an initial "Welcome to Medicare" visit, as well as during annual checkups. Hope is that increased advance planning will lead to better quality of life, as well as reduce the costs incurred during ordinary emergency hospital care.

Hospice Care Thrift Store News

Hospice Care Corp.'s thrift store on Fairmont's Market Street has been a major success, helping to generate funds for the nonprofit organization's efforts in the community. Here is a nice write up from Katie Wilson at the Times West Virginian, describing some exciting news regarding the store:

Hospice Care Corp. is finding new ways to enhance patient care.

Several years ago, the nonprofit group opened a thrift store on the Friendly City’s Market Street. Since that time, the store has become the flagship of the group’s thrift store operations, said Cynthia Woodyard, the group’s vice president of public affairs and access.

“Fairmont has been the jewel of our thrift stores and we’ve been looking for an opportunity to expand,” Woodyard said. “The opportunity presented itself, so we’re moving right up the street.”

At this time, the former store is closed for the move. Woodyard said she hopes the new store will be open by the end of the month.

Our hope is that the new location will allow even more shoppers to find and enjoy the store, which will in turn help our patients and their families. We can't wait to see you there!