Senior Housing Definitions

HOSPICE CARE

Ph 720-545-0800 | Fax 720-545-0801 | www.coloradophc.com

ADDITIONAL HOSPICE CARE PROVIDERS

Abode Hospice of Colorado AccentCare Hospice Advanced Health Care of Aurora 720-353-4078 720-504-1309 720-213-1700

AVIANT Hospice Berkley Home Health Care Brighton Hospice Bristol Hospice Brookdale Hospice Canyon Home Care & Hospice Compassionate Hospice Care, LLC Compassus Hospice Encompass Health – Hospice Lumicare 303-953-7270 303-758-2000 720-536-5060 720-941-5580 303-771-3304 303-940-2495

303-465-3700

720-200-1036 303-940-9999 720-750-8497

Mission Health Care Services Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice Namaste Home Health & Hospice New Century Hospice (Denver) Optimal Home Care – Hospice Porter Hospice Porter Hospice Residence Sacred Passage Hospice SCL Lutheran Hospice Silver Linings Hospice St. Anthony Hospice Sun Tree Hospice 303-708-1122 303-674-6400 303-730-3578 303-753-2329 303-488-9999 303-561-5100 303-694-3545 303-357-2540 303-425-8000 720-502-4170 303-561-5100 720-336-8770

HOSPICE CARE

Why Not Hospice?

People who’ve experienced hospice care most often have positive things to say, such as: “We couldn’t have done it without you.” Why then are people who could benefit from hospice often hesitant to access it?

In brief: It’s complicated. Surely it has to do with admitting that life is short, not in the metaphorical enjoy-every-moment sense, but in the short-term permanent way. That is a hard pill to swallow. And medical advances may leave the door open for the “what ifs.”

When considering hospice, it’s important to note three things:

1Treatment to cure a condition(s) typically stops, but quality medical care doesn’t.

2Patients and family receive ongoing practical, emotional and spiritual support.

3Some people graduate from hospice services.

There are countless individuals whose final weeks or months have been made better because of the total support of hospice. Others receiving hospice care have been known to see improvement in their overall condition, even outliving their prognosis.

Famed columnist Art Buchwald said of his own hospice graduation, “[Friends] can’t believe, after I said goodbye, I’m going to Martha’s Vineyard instead of Paradise.” He lived eleven months beyond his admission to hospice and accomplished a great many things, including promoting hospice care.

Why hospice?

Accessing hospice care means admitting that a person’s life span is relatively short. (Hospice criteria is a presumed six months or fewer.) Regardless of time, the specialized, compassionate care and support of the hospice team can make a tremendous difference for individuals at the end of life—and those who love them. So, the question becomes: Why not?

Those interested in learning more can talk with a medical provider or a hospice provider in their area. Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. ~

Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Agape Healthcare, Hospice & Palliative Care, which may be reached at 720-482-1988. See Inside Front Cover.