1. What is the admission criteria?
2. How do patients pay for treatment received at the Hospice House?
3. What is the visiting policy?
4. What is the policy on overnight guests?
5. Can outside food be brought in for a patient?
6. Are meals available to visitors?
7. How much money should be left with the patient?
8. Is there telephone access in the room?
9. What personal items should a patient bring with them?
10. Who develops the plan of care for each patient?
11. Can pets come to the Hospice House?
12. Is there a private duty nurse for each patient?
13. What happens if the patient improves and wants to leave the Hospice House?
14. Where is the Hospice House located?
15. What is the evacuation plan for the Hospice House?
1. What is the admission criteria?
In order to be admitted to the Hospice House, each patient will need to meet the following criteria:
• confirmed diagnosis of a terminal illness
• lack of available caregiver2
• care needs exceeding the caregiver’s abilities
• pain or symptom crisis that requires close medical observation and medicinal management
2. How do patients pay for treatment received at the Hospice House?
There are three types of care provided by the Hospice House: in-patient, routine, and respite.
In-patient care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. Routine care is not covered by most insurances; however, financial assistance is available. There is a room and board fee, which will be discussed with each patient when he/she enters the house. Respite care is for existing hospice homecare patients who are not in a crisis but whose family may need a few days away for a special event or trip away from home. This stay lasts for a maximum of 5 days and is covered by Medicare.
3. What is the visiting policy?
Friends of the patient can visit from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while family is welcome at any time. However, visitors may be limited at any time at the patient’s request. Any visitor will be requested to leave the facility if they become disruptive to other patients, visitors or the staff.
4. What is the policy on overnight guests?
Only one person will be able to stay per night. Prior discussion with the nursing staff or Hospice House manager is requested for any other arrangements. Sleeping accommodations are located in the patient’s room and not in the common family rooms.
5. Can outside food be brought in for a patient?
Family and friends can bring in food, as long as it is properly contained and marked with the date that it was prepared or opened. The staff will dispose of food that is unlabeled. Personal food items will need to be kept in the patient’s personal refrigerator located in the room.
6. Are meals available to visitors?
At this time, no meals are are served to families, only to patients. However, there is a coffee and pastry bar located in the kitchen for families at no charge.
7. How much money should be left with the patient?
Patients do not need money. However, any money and valuables that are brought in with the patient will be counted and put in a safe.
8. Is there telephone access in the room?
Each patient room has an individual phone with a direct dial phone number. All local calls are free. A personal calling card or credit card may be used for long distance calls.
9. What personal items should a patient bring with them?
The Hospice House serves as a home for patients, so bring items that would make the stay more comfortable. Suggested items include:
• clothing - nightgowns or pajamas, bathrobe, underwear, comfortable clothing, sweaters, slippers and/or shoes
• toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, denture adhesive, deodorant, powders, cologne, shampoo, comb, brush, makeup
• special items - pictures, notepaper, address book, favorite books, comfort items
* Patients will not be able to hang pictures on the wall. A personal inventory sheet will be maintained for each patient.
Whenever an additional item is brought in for the patient, it needs to be checked in by a staff member and noted on the inventory form.
10. Who develops the plan of care for each patient?
The interdisciplinary hospice team, along with the attending physician and patient/designated representative, will develop and update and individual plan of care for each resident. The Hospice House provides hospice services on a continuous basis, with 24-hour nursing and aide services. Additional services include physician, counseling, spiritual and volunteer support.
11. Can pets come to the Hospice House?
Family and visitors can bring in a pet for short visits. Prior notice and approval is required. All pets must be kept under control and leashed by the person bringing the pet in for the visit.
12. Is there a private duty nurse for each patient?
The Hospice House is not staffed to provide one-on-one care to any individual patient. The staff will do their best to provide the highest quality care to keep the patient safe from harm and danger of falling.
When a patient’s condition changes, the family will be asked to stay with the patient or hire a companion service. The staff of the Hospice House can assist with a list of agencies that can provide this type of service. The patient is responsible for any additional services. The Hospice House staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with personal care and medical supervision.
13. What happens if the patient improves and wants to leave the Hospice House?
Hospice patients do improve! Patients can sign out of hospice any time their condition improves or they decide to pursue aggressive, curative treatment. Patients may also be discharged from the Hospice House returning home if their personal situation permits. Team conferences are held between our Hospice House staff and the Home Team staff to collaborate all details of the patient's discharge.
14. Where is the Hospice House located?
The Hospice House is located at 901 37th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960. To reach the residence from I-95, take exit 147 (Vero Beach and Lake Wales) and go east until you come to U.S. 1. Head north on U.S. 1 until you come to 37th Street, then turn right. The Hospice House is located on the right, just past the entrance to Indian River Memorial Hospital.
15. What is the evacuation plan for the Hospice House?
In the case of a declared hurricane warning or other disaster, all patients will be evacuated to a special needs shelter. The hospice team will make all the necessary arrangements. Hospice staff will be available at the shelter to provide continuing care needs. The family or designated representative will be kept informed at all times during evacuation.
