There are ever increasing expectations on health care providers to effectively deal with pain management and end-of-life issues. Nursing homes need to take advantage of available resources to improve these services. Hospice is such a resource.
Working with hospice offers an opportunity for collaboration of expert professionals on the statutory and regulatory requirements related to end-of-life care such, as POLST and F309 – pain management.
Nursing homes are encouraged to schedule a meeting with local hospice providers to educate each other about their unique role in the health care continuum and explore possibilities for working together to better meet the needs of the residents they serve.
Hospice Brings Additional Expertise
- Experts in pain management and symptom control
- Experts in the “dying process”
- Experts in psychosocial and spiritual support needs of the dying person and their family
Hospice Brings Additional Resources
- Home Health Aide Services to supplement facility services
- Many hospices provide unique programs such as aroma therapy and massage
- Training for nursing home staff and families
- Extended relationship and follow up with families for one year after a resident’s death
- Offset of costs in end-of-life supplies, medications and equipment
- For facilities with 24-hour RN staffing, possible utilization of nursing homes as a hospital alternative
Opportunities For Increased Collaboration Between Hospice And Nursing Homes
- For private pay residents, education for families on potential impact to daily room and board charges
- Federal Conditions of Participation set forth explicit requirements for improved communication and collaboration between hospices and nursing homes
This information was developed by the California Association for Health Facilities (CAHF) and the LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care and is reused with permission.