New Hospice Guide Reflects CoP's Updates

Julie Garner

IlluminAge has published its 2009 edition of the Guide to Hospice and Palliative Care. This 48-page patient and family handbook is designed to inform and empower patients and caregivers by providing—in a single resource—the basic background information and skills development required for a successful hospice experience.

The new edition, which was modified to track the latest changes to Medicare’s Hospice Conditions of Participation (CoP’s), discusses:

• The role of the hospice nurse and various members of the hospice team; the role of patient and patient’s primary caregiver; how the care team works to manage symptoms and respond to issues as they arise; and how to provide support to both the patient and the patient’s family

• Paying for hospice and palliative care

• Patient and family rights and responsibilities, including the right to participate actively in care planning

• Practical aspects of being the primary home caregiver for a hospice patient, including instructions for bathing and changing bed linens, preventing the spread of infection, and a wide range of safety topics.

The 2009 edition introduces a new Online Supplement that provides users with convenient forms and checklists, factsheets and audio podcasts, and selected video content.

"Our updated Hospice Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource that will speed the hospice learning curve for families and patients, giving them the knowledge and confidence they need to take care of their loved ones," said Dennis Kenny, who managed the update process.

"The Guide serves hospice organizations around the country in one fundamental way: by providing clear answers to many of the questions hospice patients and family caregivers have, it significantly reduces the time required for one-on-one training and allows the patient and family to feel more confident and able to cope," added Kenny.

If you are a hospice provider organization interested in learning how IlluminAge’s Guide to Hospice and Palliative Care can become part of your patient and family education program, we invite you to request a free preview copy by calling 800-448-5213 or making your request online.