FAQ and Resources

RESOURCES/FAQs

FAQ's

Have you or a loved one received a recent diagnosis?
You may be eligible for Palliative Care through your current GP/PCP, insurance, Medicare/Medicaid/State sponsored health systems, or by seeking a local non-profit a palliative care organization (this is always the recommended provider (more on this later).
Whoa, WTF is Palliative Care, I ain't dying?
Palliative is a complements your current medical team. It provides you an in-home care team that consists of Social Worker, Palliative Care Nurse, Spiritual Care, and potentially access to volunteers who can help the journey.
Man, I already have a GP/and three specialists why would I want to add more people to the mix?
Simply put, think of Palliative Care as your "home base", they can advocate for the quality of care YOU wish for, make sense of all the gibber-jabber, and generally support you in making sure your needs are met, all from the comfort of your home. They are also a resource for other organizations who may provide additional services you may need.
Fuck, I am sick, and how am I gonna get by?
There is no easy answer to this, and that is where Palliative Care Social Workers can be of assistance. Depending on A LOT of financial factors, they can help you apply for programs such as Food Assistance, In Home Health Services, Disability, and FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act).
In short, if you are employed, go our on Short-Term Disability as this often provides you with estimated 75% of your salary while out on disability, then there is FMLA (this gives you or your care partner) 8 weeks of leave for which you can apply for Unemployment for those weeks without jeopardizing your position.
If your poor, Disability is gonna be your route to go and a key to getting all the social services available to you is going to be working with a social worker through your medical team OR Palliative Care.
I am overwhelmed what do I do first?
First, is take a look at your own personal ways of care, these are the things you do to thrive (playing music, friends, nature, etc.). Make a list, these are gonna be your pillars for getting through any coarse of treatment with a serious diagnosis. Next, define who you want your care team to be (friends + family), and support groups are awesome for those that are interested. Then there is the very serious End-of-Life Planning.

And, for those who are no longer seeking curative treatment and are diagnosed with 6 months or left to live if the disease continues coarse, you are hospice eligible. Hospice is FREE through Medicare programs. Get a NON-PROFIT hospice as they generally have a higher quality of care. Hospice Care is Palliative Care but with more frequency and easier access to the medicines and equipment you may need for your care.


Other FAQs: (We will be addressing the following issues shortly)
Dementia Care
End of Life Planning
Mental Health/Grief
Death Doulas

RESOURCES:


Palliative/Hospice Care: Research your local are for a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. As stated above, they often give HIGHER QUALITY CARE and MORE TIME with each patient. You can find non-profit orgs here: NHPCO.
And, then look up their quality of care scores on the mediCare website: MediCare Website
MaID (Medical Aid in Dying): As of today, 13 states allow for this option to those who are qualified on hospice with some other parameters (sound mind, ability to self-administer). For more information, and to find providers:AADM, and also the advocacy group (bi-partisan) Compassion & Choices offer the latest legislation and bills related to access to MaID in US:
VSED: Voluntary Stop Eating and Drinking, is legal in all 50 States. VSED os used for those that are not hospice eligible as the suffering isn't tied to a terminal disease but often due to the effects of prior treatment and/or as an option for Dementia patients. MANY RULES APPLY, more details here: Compassion and Choices
End of Life Planning: There are many orgs with tools and guides AND working with a Death Doula is often a less overwhelming choice. That said, check out this page to get you started: Death With Dignity
Death Doulas: Check out DeathTransitions.org and they can refer you to a local death doula in your area or work with you remotely. Other member orgs are INELDA.org or NEDA.org.
Send Nurse Beatrice your questions and she'll do her darndest to answer.