HospiceCare Philosophy
HospiceCare in The Berkshires provides comfort and support to patients with a life-limiting illness and their families. The HospiceCare Team is specially trained and certified to provide you with expert care that ensures dignity, peace and comfort during the last stages of life. The HospiceCare Team will work with you and your family to develop an individual plan of care that meets your specific needs.
When is it time to call HospiceCare?
Our HospiceCare Team welcomes your call at any time during your illness to provide you with information about hospice care services. Generally, when a patient’s life expectancy is less than six months you are eligible (under Medicare Guidelines) to receive hospice care services. Your primary doctor and the hospice care physicians will consult to determine eligibility.
HospiceCare in The Berkshires provides services to people with a variety of diseases including dementia, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, end-stage lung, liver, or kidney disease, or any illness that is in a terminal phase. We also care for patients who are in “general decline;" they are losing weight, show less interest in normal activities and need help in completing basic needs like feeding or bathing.
Where is hospice care provided?
Hospice services are provided wherever a patient calls home. This could be their own home or that of a loved one, an assisted living facility, or long-term care facility. Sometimes to manage extreme symptoms a person may need a short hospital stay – HospiceCare will continue to care for you.
The HospiceCare Team
During this time it takes a specially trained team to support patients and families and address their unique needs. Our HospiceCare team of professionals will provide you with guidance and support. The team includes:
- Our Medical Director and associate physicians specializing in hospice and palliative care
- Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses
- HospiceCare Aides
- Family Support Staff
- Chaplains
- Trained Volunteers
The HospiceCare Team will meet with you to determine your goals and plan of care so that you may live your life as fully as possible while keeping you comfortable, in a place you call home, surrounded by people who care about you.
Who pays for hospice?
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances have a hospice benefit. If you meet eligibility hospice care can pay for medications and equipment that are related to your terminal diagnosis. Our HospiceCare Team will meet with you to discuss your particular situation and help you understand your benefits.
HospiceCare can help
If you are still wondering if HospiceCare in The Berkshires can help you please call 413-443-2994. Our HospiceCare Team is available to answer questions and give you the information to make the decision that is best for you and your family. Patients and families often say they wished they had called us sooner.
Just as you would call a specialist for guidance with a particular illness and to receive the best care possible – the HospiceCare Team is expert in providing you with the best care possible during this time.
How does hospice help with grieving?
HospiceCare in The Berkshires offers counseling services to anyone in the community through the grieving process. Through individual or group sessions we continue to support and guide you. These services are offered free of charge due to the tremendous support and donations of the Berkshire Community.
