Hospice & Palliative Care
Improve Your Quality of Life
In 2011, New York State passed a law called the Palliative Care Information Act requiring nurse practitioners and physicians to offer counseling and palliative care information to patients with advanced illness. This law is intended to ensure that patients are fully informed of all options so they can make treatment choices consistent with their values while optimizing their quality of life.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is the medical specialty focused on improving overall quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on relieving pain and other distressing physical, spiritual and emotional symptoms that often accompany serious illness, and enhancing communication and coordination of care.
Palliative care is provided by a team of professionals working together with your primary doctor. It is appropriate at any point in a serious illness and can be provided along with medical treatment.
How do I request a palliative care consult?
You may request a palliative care consult, or you can ask any staff member or your physician to request this service for you. A palliative care consultation request can be made at any time by calling 646-623-0444.
What does the palliative care team do for me and my family?
The team will recommend a treatment plan after it assesses your specific needs, including your goals, values, cultural, religious beliefs and care preferences.
The palliative care team may use medication, non-medication and complementary/supportive therapies in the treatment of your physical, psychological, social and spiritual symptoms or needs. The palliative care team will work with your doctor and healthcare team to ensure coordination of palliative care in the hospital and during transition home.
What is hospice?
Hospice is a program that provides palliative care and specialized hospice services for people who are near the end of life and for their families. Hospice care can be provided at home, in the hospital, or in a hospice or other facility like a nursing home. It is covered by Medicare and insurance.
What services are provided by hospice?
Hospice services generally include:
- basic medical care with a focus on pain and symptom control
- medical supplies and equipment as needed
- counseling and social support to help you and your family with psychological, emotional and spiritual issues
- guidance with the difficult, but normal, issues of life completion and closure
- a break (respite care) for caregivers, family and others who regularly care for you
- grief and bereavement services for family and loved ones
How will I know if it is time for me to request hospice services?
Hospice care is for patients approaching the last stages of their life. Your doctor and healthcare team will discuss this decision with you. A meeting with your team can be arranged for you and your family to discuss your concerns and plans.
What is advance care planning?
An adult who has a serious injury or illness may become unable to make his or her own medical decisions. To prepare, you can appoint a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. Every adult should appoint a healthcare proxy and discuss wishes for medical care with that person. A healthcare proxy form may be found in the booklet “Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State” found in your patient admission packet. You can also download a proxy form at www.health.ny.gov/professionals/patients/health_care_proxy.
Is Palliative Care Available at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills?
Long Island Jewish Forest Hills has an active interdisciplinary palliative care program staffed by physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and nurse educators who specialize in palliative care. Pastoral care liaisons, social workers, care managers, pharmacists, nutritionists and others are also part of the team.
Why Might I Choose Hospice?
The goal of hospice treatment is to keep you comfortable and improve your quality of life when a cure is not possible. Hospice services are not intended to speed up the dying process—they focus on relieving pain and other symptoms. Hospice caregivers aim to enhance the quality of remaining life by keeping you as alert and comfortable as possible with family and friends.
Hospice Care at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
Long Island Jewish Forest Hills has an inpatient unit on 4 South that is operated by Hospice Care Network (516-832-7100). The unit serves as a step between the hospital and home hospice or nursing home hospice. The main goals of this unit are acute symptom management and care planning. More information is available from the RN case managers, social workers or the Hospice Care Network liaison nurse.