10/09/2012
Referrals
A referral to hospice is appropriate when:
A patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus.
Curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.
Hospice services are available to patients without regard to disease, color, creed, national origin, age, s*x, or ability to pay.
To make a referral to Arcadia Hospice, Phone (610) 336-8000.
Referrals to hospice may be made by anyone, including but not limited to:
Physicians
Discharge Planners
Social Workers
Patients
Family Members
Nursing Homes
Friends
Clergy
Too often, referrals for hospice care are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms or is near death. Although hospice care can do much to assist and provide care at this time, the patient and family can benefit much more from hospice services if referred earlier.
Many symptoms (i.e. pain) can be anticipated and prevented from becoming severe. Symptoms that might otherwise require a hospitalization or an emergency room visit can be successfully managed by the hospice team in the patient’s residence. The patient’s and family’s quality of life can be greatly enhanced by early intervention.
Call (610) 336-8000 or email Arcadia Hospice to schedule an individual presentation or a program for your group or facility.
