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I Am A VNA Hospice Patient

Philosophy of Care

  • Specialized type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their caregivers
  • Hospice care addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
  • Hospice care also helps the patient’s family and caregivers.
  • Hospice care takes place wherever you call home, in the patient’s home, in a home-like setting, nursing homes, residential care facilities, and with contractual agreement in hospitals
  • Hospice care focuses on managing a patient’s pain and other symptoms for the patient may live as comfortable as possible and make the most of the time that remains.
  • Hospice care believes in living life to the fullest, quality of life to be as important as length of life.

At VNA Hospice, a team of interdisciplinary professionals collaborates to provide each patient and family with a personalized plan of care. Essential to the hospice philosophy, this approach ensures our team successfully addresses each patient’s unique physical, spiritual, emotional and psychosocial needs, supporting the highest quality of life along with family and caregivers. VNA Hospice focuses is your overall well-being and our goal is to provide the highest quality care possible.

hospice care monterey ca

The Hospice Care Team

The VNA Hospice Team approach capitalizes on the combined expertise, knowledge and skills of our staff to provide the best care for you or your loved one. Your team will include a tailored combination of the following professionals:

  • Primary Physician
  • Hospice Medical Team: Medical Director and Nurse Practitioner
  • Skilled and Supportive Nurse Case Managers; Visiting Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Personal Care with Hospice Aides
  • Spiritual Care Coordinator
  • Bereavement Coordinator
  • Volunteers, including Complementary Therapies: beautician, massage, pet therapy, reiki therapy, Veteran to Veteran
  • Support Providers: Dietician, Pharmacist, Therapists, Administrative Staff

VNA & Hospice Offices

  • 5 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Monterey, CA
  • 6 San Miguel Avenue, Salinas, CA
  • 321 San Felipe Drive, Ste #10, Hollister, CA
  • 400 Canal St, Suite A, King City, CA

How To Start Your Care; FAQs

Now, is the best time to learn more about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for loved ones and family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress and improve overall quality of life.

When should a decision about entering a Hospice Program be made - and who should make it?

It is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice, at any time during a life-limiting illness. Now, is the best time to learn more about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for loved ones and family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress and improve overall quality of life.

Hospice care is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury. The care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes.

How Does Hospice Care Begin?

Choosing to elect hospice care is an important decision that can greatly benefit the quality of life for a patient with a life-limiting illness or injury in addition to proving support to a patient’s family and caregivers during a difficult time. There are often frequently asked questions and we recommend meeting with a VNA Care Coordinator to hear your individual needs and answer questions.

Typically, hospice care starts as soon as a formal request or a ‘referral’ is made. A VNA team member will schedule a visit immediately based on the schedule needs of the patient and family and supportive caregivers. Your physician would be involved to order hospice care and services begin immediately as requested.
The patient, family member, or caregiver may “self-refer” and request an evaluation for eligibility for receiving hospice services.

Electing the Benefit and How Covered?

Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medi-Cal, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.

The Hospice benefit is covered 100% by Medicare part A. This includes all visits from the Hospice Team, and the medications, durable medical equipment and supplies related to the terminal illness. Medicare can also cover short stays in skilled nursing facilities for respite care, and brief hospital visits when appropriate and authorized by the hospice agency. Medi-Cal also covers Hospice 100%. Most private insurances have a hospice benefit, although coverage can vary according to the plan.

Hospice Compare: a public reporting website from Medicare offering quality information on Medicare-certified hospice providers.

How to Receive VNA Hospice Care?

Contact VNA & Hospice at 831-375-9882 to arrange for services. Ask your physician for VNA or ask to speak with a VNA Nurse Care Coordinator while in the hospital, skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility. Our team members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are thinking about Hospice, it is a benefit to meet now.

Selecting VNA Hospice means you will be involved with our compassionate and knowledgeable staff, and participating in a health care model considered as the standard for excellence in end of life care.

Additional Information