ABOUT Life Touch Hospice
Where is Life Touch Hospice located?
Life Touch Hospice isn’t a place; it’s a program of care. Hospice professionals bring their expertise to
patients and families wherever they are within our services area – a private residence, a nursing home,
an assisted living facility, hospital, even homeless shelters.
How long has Life Touch Hospice been in our community?
Life Touch Hospice has been serving South Arkansas for over 18 years. In that time we have helped more than
3000 patients and their loved ones.
Where does Life Touch Hospice provide care?
We offer compassionate care to individuals that reside in Bradley, Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita, and Union
counties. Individuals receive care in their place of residence: private homes, nursing homes, assisted
living facilities, or anywhere else the patient calls home. The John R. Williamson Hospice House may accept
patients from across the United States.
What is the John R. Williamson Hospice House?
Our hospice house is used primarily for two reasons: to care for patients whose symptoms cannot be controlled
at home and to provide a period of respite (rest) to the caregivers. It is named in honor of Dr. John R.
Williamson – whose vision helped to establish our hospice house.
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WHO QUALIFIES FOR HOSPICE
Why does someone utilize hospice care?
Usually, a doctor has confirmed that a patient’s illness cannot be cured, or the side effects of curative
treatment outweigh the benefits.
Does Life Touch Hospice care for nursing home residents?
Yes. Residents of long-term care facilities receive the same services as do patients in a private residence.
Life Touch maintains contracts with these facilities to make this possible.
Does Hospice only care for cancer patients and the elderly?
Over 2/3 of our hospice patients do not have cancer. We care for patients with many illnesses, including
but not limited to: HIV/AIDS; advanced respiratory, cardiac, liver, and kidney diseases; Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s
disease; or ALS “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”. We have cared for patients from infancy to 102.
Are there admission criteria that must be met?
Patients are eligible for hospice admission if in the best judgment of a physician they have less than 6
months to live and are not undergoing curative treatments.
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REFERRING A PATIENT
How are individuals referred to Life Touch Hospice?
Anyone can refer to Life Touch Hospice, call 1-866-378-0388. Family and friends call us because they need
help. We take it from there and have conversations that are necessary with other family members, patients,
and the physician in order to begin providing services.
Should a patient wait for their doctor to suggest hospice?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at anytime with their physician, other healthcare
professionals, clergy, and friends.
Who decides that a patient should enter into hospice care?
After the physician certifies that the patient is eligible for hospice care, according to law – the decision
belongs to the patient.
When should someone contact Life Touch Hospice about receiving care?
The statement we hear most often is “we wish we would have called sooner”. The sooner a call is made, the
more we can do to help.
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THE HOSPICE PHILOSOPHY
What is hospice care?
When faced with a progressive illness, Life Touch Hospice offers care to help individuals live each day to
the fullest. We assist people with physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs. The focus of hospice
care is to maintain the dignity and comfort of patients while offering support to the family.
Hospice does not speed up or slow down the dying process. We view death as a normal occurrence in the continuum
of life and wish to lend support and expertise during the natural dying process.
Is admission to hospice a decision to give up?
Choosing hospice care is not giving up! We have different goals than other healthcare providers: palliative
care rather than curative care. It is a decision to maximize quality of life by managing symptoms and controlling
pain.
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HOW HOSPICE WORKS
Can patients continue to see their primary physician?
Primary physicians continue to be involved in the care of the patient. Our team will work with the patient’s
doctor to coordinate care.
Can a patient leave hospice care once enrolled?
If the patient’s condition improves, or the patient decides to seek curative treatment, he or she can leave
the program. If the patient needs hospice services again, they can re-enroll.
What is meant by pain management?
Our staff has specialized training in pain and symptom management. We are very successful in battling pain.
Who controls a patient’s care?
The patient is the care team leader. We ask patients, “What are your goals?” An individualized care plan
is developed that meets the needs and goals of the patient. The team works together to help meet those
goals. The patient, along with the family, is always in charge of treatment decisions.
What is meant by inter-disciplinary approach?
Hospice recognizes that emotional and spiritual pain exists in addition to physical pain. Our team supports
patients and families with skilled nursing, social services, nursing aides, spiritual support, volunteer
services, and bereavement support.
How long do patients live?
The hospice benefit is a six month benefit, but it is common for people to live longer than 6 months after
admission to hospice. Studies have shown that people actually live longer under hospice care than people
with similar conditions not receiving hospice care.
What does Life Touch Hospice do for family members?
One of the things that set hospice services apart from other healthcare services is that the patient and
family are treated as a unit. We care for both patients and family members. We focus on meeting the patient’s
goals, while making sure the family members are getting the support they need.
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CARE AT HOME
How do patients and families get needed equipment?
An RN will assess the patient’s needs, make equipment recommendations, and coordinate the ordering and placement
of the equipment in the home. Equipment such as wheelchairs, oxygen, and hospital beds are covered under
hospice care.
How do caregivers know how to care for patients at home?
Our staff teaches caregivers how to best care for their loved one – how to change dressings, prevent falls
in the home, bathe a patient, administer medications, and much more.
How often does hospice visit?
We make regular in-home visits. The schedule varies according to the patient’s needs. CNAs usually make more
visits than any other member of the team.
What if something happens during the night?
During an illness, nights can be long, lonely times. An RN is available around the clock to answer questions
or visit the home. When a home visit is needed, a nurse will come to the home. Our nurses can be reached
24 hours per day/365 days per year.
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PAYMENT
What if a patient does not have insurance?
Life Touch Hospice is a non-profit agency that serves all regardless of ability to pay. Everyone is guaranteed
the same high quality care.
How is hospice care paid for?
Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances. However, we offer care to everyone
in need regardless of their ability to pay.
Is hospice care expensive?
All expenses related to the terminal diagnosis are covered under hospice care.
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GRIEF SUPPORT
What is bereavement support?
We offer follow-up services to support a patient’s family for at least 13 months following the death. This
is accomplished through individual counseling, support groups, and special event sessions.
What happens during the 13 months of bereavement follow-up?
Life Touch Hospice provides continuing contact and support for the family following the death of a loved
one. The family of patients will receive mailings, phone calls, individual counseling, and invitations
to grief support groups.
If a loved one has died, but wasn’t a hospice patient, can the family still use bereavement services?
Grief support is offered to anyone in the community that has experienced the death of a family member, friend,
or loved one.
Is there grief support available for someone dealing with a sudden loss?
A Life Touch Bereavement Counselor is available regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death.
What is the cost of bereavement services?
Bereavement services are free and available to anyone in need.
Does Life Touch Hospice offer education on grief?
Life Touch offers a Grief & Loss education upon request.
Does everyone have to participate in the bereavement services?
Bereavement services may be declined. If an individual changes their mind just give us a call.
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