Ascend Hospice Care

Hospice care at home is a type of treatment that many families decide to aboard when their loved ones are facing a terminal disease. There are many benefits this type of care offers to their patients, it provides a pain-free environment and emotional support during this difficult time. We understand that not one care plan fits all. Our experienced employees will take the time to get to know you and develop an individualized care plan that fits your specific needs.

Continuous Home Care or CHC is one of the four levels of Hospice Care covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Continuous Home Care aims to quickly address the patient’s acute medical symptoms, regain calm, and achieve palliation. CHC is only needed during brief periods (from 8 to 24 hours). This type of service is performed at the patient’s home. If you or your loved one is suffering uncontrollably from the following symptoms, they qualify for immediate Continuous Home Care. - Intense physical pain - Bleeding - Difficulty breathing - Nausea - Vomiting -Restlessness CHC is strictly reserved for patients with severe symptoms like those mentioned above. If you don’t qualify for CHC, please review other services such as Hospice care At Home or Short Term Respite Care to know which one suits your necessities.

Short-term or respite care is a type of supervision derived from hospice and consists of short-term relief for in-home caregivers. Hospice care offers you the chance and comfort of staying at home with your loved ones, obtaining facilities, and every treatment you require for daily life. Still, sometimes the caregiver needs a respite for getting back on track, and that’s the reason for having short-time respite care. Sometimes respite care means temporarily handing over responsibilities to an informal caregiver, such as a family member or friend. Other times, the primary caregiver works with an organization to set up respite care with a professional. Short-term respite care allows the caregiver to recover from the patient demands at daily-home care. Everyday needs for inpatient respite. Some of these needs can be: - Having complex pain or symptoms that need exceptional help. - Being physically or emotionally exhausted. - Attending an essential or required life event.

Every type of cancer develops in our body’s cells, starting with a single cell. We have trillions of cells in our body that, like us, grow, and multiply to form new cells. Eventually, they grow old or get damaged and die. Cancer occurs when this process is damaged and abnormal. Damaged cells multiply rapidly when they shouldn’t. These damaged cells are responsible for tumors and lumps. They can occur in any part of the body and affect almost everyone. Although it can be difficult to assess at what stage cancer will become fatal, it is essential to have a hospice plan in hand when the moment arrives. Some eligibility guidelines and criteria are -If you have metastatic cancer. -Scoring 70% or less on the Palliative Performance Scale. -If you are unable to perform daily activities of living independently. -Spend more than half of your day in bed, on a chair, or in a single room. -Unable to move or communicate properly. -If your condition is terminal and has a life expectancy of fewer than six months. -Choosing not to continue with disease-directed treatment. (Palliative radiation or chemotherapy can be excluded). Hospice care for cancer patients can bring the comfort, peace, and support they need during these difficult times. At Ascend Hospice Care, we have experience and a specialized treatment program for patients currently dealing with cancer. Hospice care is an excellent option for the patient because of its emotional support. We can help provide a higher quality of life with our team of nurses and volunteers. With our 24/7 care, hospice care is a personalized and tailored way to manage cancer.

Six million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s. This figure is expected to increase by 2050 to nearly 13 million. If you or someone close to you has Alzheimer’s, you need to fulfill the following criteria: - Inability to walk without support. - Unable to dress without help. - Incapability to bathe without assistance. - Intermittent or continuous urinary or fecal incontinence. - There is no meaningful verbal communication; speech is limited to six or fewer understandable words. - A life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice can provide caring and professional assistance to families taking care of the afflicted person’s functions while adapting to diminishing capacity. Caregivers are commonly burnout from helping their loved ones; hospice may help by providing support and respite care as required. Hospice care is an excellent option for the patient because of its emotional support. We can help provide a higher quality of life with our team of nurses and volunteers. With our 24/7 care, hospice care is a personalized and tailored way to manage Alzheimer’s.

COPD refers to two primary obstructive lung diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. If you or a loved one is struggling with COPD, you can qualify for hospice care. Some criteria are - If you are in end-stage COPD (end-stage usually means six months). - If you have persistent dyspnea. - Evidence of progressive pulmonary disease. - If you require oxygen most of the time. - Inability to perform everyday tasks. Hospice can be very beneficial for patients that have COPD. At Ascend Hospice Care, we have experience and a specialized treatment program for patients currently dealing with COPD and other lung diseases. When dealing with this type of condition, patients can develop dyspnea (shortness of breath and intense tightening in the chest). The anxiety and stress it causes are two of the most common symptoms patients experience. Hospice care is favorable for the patient because of the individualized care it offers. We can help ease those symptoms with therapies and the emotional support hospice care offers. With our 24/7 care, hospice care is a great way to treat COPD.

Bereavement assists patients, families, and significant others to have healthy grieving before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. Bereavement helps people identify strengths, difficulties, stressors, and coping skills that will make it easier for them to adapt to a significant loss. - The difference between grief and bereavement Some may think that grief and bereavement are the same, but they have different meanings. While grief is a normal reaction to a loss, bereavement is the period after which you experience grief. This difference might be confusing, but it is essential to understand that loss is a natural part of life and that all people will experience grief in response to loss. It is then that bereavement care is helpful. - How does bereavement help? It is important to remember that people react to a loss differently; responses can be emotional, social, physical, and spiritual. Emotional reactions usually include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and despair, while physical reactions include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, or illness. Bereavement services help to understand people’s reactions while facing loss and provide support to help deal with grief. Trained bereavement professionals can aid in dealing with grief and offer education and support. After learning about grief, understanding how it affects them, identifying coping strategies, and learning new methods to help themselves through grief, most people feel strengthened, encouraged, and supported. - Bereavement under hospice care Family caregivers of a hospice patient, or those close to them, have access to bereavement care for 13 months after the patient’s death as part of the Medicare hospice benefit. Services can include support groups, memorial services, informational and educational resources, counseling, and referrals to appropriate therapeutic and community resources. Depending on their situation, the needs of each person receiving bereavement support may vary, and so may their needs. - Bereavement services often include: Identify which family members need bereavement support. Understanding family strengths, bereavement risk, and concerns and needs related to grief and loss. Providing essential information and support through individual contacts, written materials, commemorative activities, social events, or support groups. Entrusting families to address grief by identifying areas of resilience and support. Directing families who need assistance with complicated bereavement, mental health, or other needs. At Ascend Hospice Care, we are proud to provide the best service available, including grief management before and after a loved one passing. Please let us know if you or a family member require our assistance regarding bereavement or any other concern.

What is a CVA? A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke is brain damage caused by a disruption of blood circulation, preventing oxygen in a specific part of this organ. It can also occur when arteries explode due to high pressure, creating a clot in the brain. The magnitude of this event will determine how severe the CVA will be. For instance, an accident like a vehicle crash can cause brain injury and a CVA in the worst-case scenario. However, an accident is not necessary to suffer from this condition. Other factors can cause a cerebrovascular accident, which we will describe in the following sections. Who can suffer from a CVA? Age may be a factor, but accidents are the number one cause of CVA. People over 55 are more likely to suffer a cerebrovascular accident, yet the younger the person is, the more fatal it can be. The reason is that a young person’s blood circulation pumps faster and stronger than an older one – causing more damage and leaving more sequels. CVA symptoms Fortunately, if you pay attention to these warning signs, you can get treatment in time to avoid a stroke (CVA). You can call your doctor or 911 for medical emergencies if you present one or several of the following: Frequent and intense headaches. If a headache persists for more than 72 hours, go to the emergency room immediately. Difficulty moving around or walking naturally. Dizziness. Lack of fluency in communication and comprehension of others. Unilateral paralysis of the face, arm, or both legs. How can someone with CVA qualify for hospice care? It is essential to point out that even when a person suffers from a CVA or a stroke, this does not mean they are eligible for hospice care. The most crucial factor is a life expectancy of six months or less. These are other requirements to meet hospice criteria: -Palliative Performance Score or Karnofsky Score of less than or equal to 40% - Supported documentation of medical difficulties during the past 12 months - Showing signs of not responding to treatment and deterioration increases - The patient is bound to the bed and chair most of the time - Inadequate cognitive functions status - Requires help with everyday tasks (ADLs) - Incapable of maintaining enough hydration and calorie intake - Progressive weight reduction How does Ascend care for CVA patients? Ascend cares for patients with CVA to bring them comfort, peace, and support during these difficult times. We have experience and a specialized treatment program for patients currently dealing with CVA. With our 24/7 care, hospice care is a personalized and tailored way to manage CVA. Hospice care is beneficial because it provides patients with emotional support throughout their final days. We can help provide a higher quality of life with our team of nurses and volunteers.