How To Find A Good Hospice Program:
Six Features To Look For
In just 39 years, the amount of hospice providers nationwide has grown exponentially. As with most services, there are many factors to consider when selecting a hospice provider for either yourself or a loved one. To help navigate the variety of options, Consumer Reports published an article, “How to Find a Good Hospice Program: Six Features to Look for” and Delaware Hospice is the only organization in the area to meet all of the criteria.
1. Not-for-profit status and 20+ years of experience. Delaware Hospice is the only not-for-profit hospice serving Delaware. We were established in 1982 by Delawareans who saw a need for hospice care in our area. Throughout our 33 years of service to Delawareans, we have become a trusted community partner in providing the highest quality hospice and healthcare services through end-of-life education and support.
2. Hospice certified nurses and doctors on staff and available 24 hours per day. By having certified hospice personnel on staff, we are able to truly care for the individual needs of our patients. Regardless of the time of day, patients and caregivers are able to talk with a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor that will be able to answer questions.
3. Palliative care consultants who begin care if you’re not yet ready for hospice. Our Delaware Palliative program assists with the physical and psychosocial burdens of a serious illness through home visits by a physician, nurse practitioner, and a social worker. Delaware Palliative patients are able to benefit from the individualized care provided while they still receive curative treatment.
4. An inpatient unit, where patients can go if symptoms can’t be managed at home. Delaware Hospice has the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford providing 16-single patient/ family suites that are set in a comfortable and peaceful home-like atmosphere, with space for your family to gather. A team of professionals will provide specialized hospice care 24 hours a day, allowing family members to spend quality time together. Visitors are encouraged to use family oriented spaces including the country kitchen, living room, family room, and a children’s playroom. Families are also able to enjoy a stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens.
5. Ability to provide care in nursing homes and assisted living residences. We provide service in 48 nursing homes throughout the three counties in Delaware. With these partnerships, we are able to offer our families with timely visits and expert care.
6. Medicare approval. Delaware Hospice is a Medicare, Medicaid and state licensed hospice program.
Recently, we have achieved re-accreditation from The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Home Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. Established in 1988, The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation program supports the efforts of its accredited organizations to help deliver safe, high quality care, and services. More than 6,000 home care programs currently maintain accreditation, awarded for a three-year period by The Joint Commission.
Delaware Hospice has also earned the Elite Status in the 2015 Hospice Honors from Deyta®. As a data-driven management company, Deyta works with thousands of healthcare agencies including Delaware Hospice to compile accurate, up-to-date survey information. As a named Hospice Honors Elite member, an organization must have scored better than the national average on all 18 of the evaluated questions provided to family members.
Delaware Hospice offers a variety of programs Transitions, Delaware Palliative, and Delaware Hospice. To learn more about any of our programs, please visit www.delawarehospice.org or call us at 1-800-838-9800.
