Thinking about end of life care can be upsetting, stressful and overwhelming, making searching for hospice for you or a loved one a daunting task. All hospice organizations are going to put their best face forward to promote their services, but if you’re not fortunate enough to be able to rely on personal recommendations from people you trust, research results can be a big help.
Chandler Hall’s reputation for providing excellent hospice care was validated by a nationwide survey, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Survey data collected from October 2016 to October 2018 found that 88 percent of family caregivers would recommend Chandler Hall’s hospice services to friends and family. Chandler Hall, which offered one of the first two hospices in Pennsylvania, is considered a pioneer in hospice care.
Hospice care provides a unique service that combines medical and compassionate care. It can also involve a level of intimacy not found in other medical treatment situations with patients and families relying on team members daily to manage physical pain and symptoms, as well as provide emotional support to help those coping with the stress of the situation.
Understanding how hospice interacts with family and friends is an important factor in selecting the best hospice care to best suit your needs. While families differ and may have specific wants, there are many basic areas that are important to all families.
Those shared needs are evaluated in surveys, such as the one sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and can help guide your decision-making process. The results of the survey indicated that family caregivers scored Chandler Hall at or above national averages on every hospice survey item, including:
Communication with family: Families are able to easily establish a process to share concerns with staff, make sure that any issues or questions are addressed, agree on how care decisions will be made and ensure that the family’s caregiving role aligns with the organization’s expectations.
Getting timely help: The hospice staff is reachable 24/7 and can provide care anytime there is a crisis (including at 3 a.m.).
Treating patients with respect: Patient’s wishes are respected and they are treated with dignity, never criticized; commanded; warned; judged; or told what to do.
Emotional and spiritual support: The emotional and spiritual needs of families and patients is acknowledged and provided.
Help for pain and symptoms: The staff focuses on finding the right balance of pain relief while still maintaining the quality of life.
Training the family to care for the patient: Hospice professionals work with family members to teach, support and recognize the ability and skills of each caregiver.
Chandler Hall’s Hospice and Palliative Care programs include Hospice at Home and provide support and care for patients nearing the end of life and for:
- Congestive heart failure
- ALS
- Parkinson’s disease
- COPD
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
Generous contributions to its Benevolent Care Fund made it possible for nearly half of patients to receive hospice care. If you or a loved one needs hospice care, you can rely on Kendal Chandler Hall, one of the area’s most trusted services.
