Hospice has been reimbursed by Medicare since the early 1980's and most insurance plans have an end of life benefit. Medicare reimbursement covers medical equipment, supplies and medications related to the hospice diagnosis, as well as care and services of the hospice team. Co-pays for Medicare patients are usually waived but various hospices may have different policies on this.
I
have heard it said that a positive attitude improves quality of
life. How does hospice assist the dying and their loved ones in “finding
the positive.”
It has been said that the lessons of life are the wisdom of dying.
The care provided by hospice team members is a sharing of these lessons
learned from those they have been privileged to care for and contain
the knowledge of how to live each day fully. One of the most important
lessons learned from the dying is present moment living in which our
thoughts remain focused on what is immediately in front of us, recognizing
the importance and significance contained in each instant. To live
without taking anything for granted opens one to the beauty and grace
that surrounds us all. At the very least, I hope that the dying and
their loved ones leave enough time to have the conversation with each
other that includes the following phrases: "I
forgive you, please forgive me, thank you, I love you and good-bye."
Donate to the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation
