The following is the first in a series of articles on Hospice Services of Lake County and what the organization offers community members.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County provides service to any person with a life-limiting illness.
Many patients feel like their world is shattered, they feel hopeless, overwhelmed, frightened and alone.
Hospice care helps terminally ill patients and their families cope with the final months of life by providing appropriate medical care and social services.
Comprehensive care provided by hospice gives comfort and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Hospice Services of Lake County is a team of specialized staff that helps patients and families obtain the best quality of life possible at the end stage of the disease process.
Hospice is committed to provide symptom management with dignity, meaning and peace during the last months, weeks and days of a life-limiting illness.
Hospice services can be provided to any person referred to hospice. Although most patients are referred by their physician, patients can refer themselves. Hospice staff will follow up with the physician for required orders and prognosis.
The physician certifies that the patient is eligible for hospice care with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice services can continue indefinitely dependent on disease progression.
Hospice care is not limited by age or disease. Many life-limiting illnesses and conditions such as heart disease; end-stage lung, kidney, or liver disease; cancer; Alzheimer’s/dementia; ALS; or any disease in a terminal phase are managed by hospice.
Hospice Services of Lake County provides care in whatever setting the patient calls home, including private residences, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Hospice services include assessment, treatment and management of symptoms related to the illness which may include pain, nausea, anxiety, fatigue and shortness of breath; assistance with the complex end of life decisions, emotional and spiritual support, with ongoing bereavement services.
Hospice Services of Lake County staff include a team of highly trained individuals such as physicians specializing in hospice and palliative care, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, hospice aides, medical social workers, spiritual care coordinators, bereavement counselors and trained volunteers.
Special hospice coverage, under Medicare and MediCal, pays for expenses related to the terminal illness.
Hospice Services of Lake County provides care regardless of the ability to pay and will work with the patient and family to resolve financial concerns.
Most patients and family members say that the only regret about hospice services is that they did not make contact sooner.
Good quality of life at the end of life is not an elusive concept at hospice. Hospice Services of Lake County is here to support you and your loved ones.
For more information about Hospice Services of Lake County, visit www.lakecountyhospice.org or call 707-263-6222.
Faith Lykken, RN, is director of patient care for Hospice Services of Lake County, based in Lakeport, Calif.