Hospice Care FAQs and Myths

Hospice frequently asked questions and myths

Hospice care plays a crucial role in providing comfort and dignity for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. Despite its importance, misconceptions often surround this specialized care, leading to confusion and hesitations. Below we address common questions about hospice care, clarifying its purpose, eligibility, and accessibility. Additionally, we also address persistent myths, shedding light on the comprehensive support hospice care offers to both patients and their families. By understanding the realities of hospice care, individuals can make informed decisions about their end-of-life care options and find peace in their journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care

 

Q: What is hospice care?
A:Hospice care is a special type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice care focuses on managing symptoms and pain and helping patients and their families to be as comfortable as possible – physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Q: Who is eligible for hospice care?
A: Individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting condition with a prognosis of six months or less. One needn’t be homebound to receive hospice services.

Q: When is it time for hospice care?
A: Hospice care is typically recommended when a physician is offering a life expectancy of six months or less, depending on the course of the disease. Patients and families benefit most when their symptoms are managed earlier during their disease process rather than later. Read more here.

Q: Who pays for hospice care?
A: Most private insurance plans cover hospice care expenses related to the terminal diagnosis, as do Medicare and Medicaid.

Q. Where can I receive hospice care?
A. Wherever the patient resides, in the 35+ towns  RVNAhealth serves.

Myths About Hospice Care

Hospice care is very beneficial to patients and their loved ones. But it is often misunderstood. Following are common myths about hospice care that are not true.

Myth: Hospice care quickens end of life.
Fact: Hospice neither hastens nor slows the end of life. Hospice is a means of healing and providing relief so that patients may focus on quality of life.

Myth: Hospice is solely for cancer patients.
Fact: The RVNAhealth hospice team cares for patients with cancer and many other chronic illnesses.

Myth: Hospice is only for patients nearing death.
Fact: Patients with a prognosis of six months or less may be cared for through hospice services. Patients often ‘graduate’ from hospice care.

Myth: Hospice is far too expensive for a patient and their family.
Fact: Hospice care is covered by most insurance companies and Medicare, Medicaid and other plans.

Myth: It is difficult for a patient to obtain hospice care.
Fact: RVNAhealth will guide you through the steps toward hospice care. You and your family are provided with a medical support team and access to our family of health services: skilled nursing, physical therapists, and non-medical caregivers.

MYTH: Hospice care ends when the patient passes away.
FACT: RVNAhealth offers bereavement support to family members up to 13 months after the passing of a loved one.

Understanding hospice care is essential for dispelling myths and recognizing the immense support it offers to patients and their loved ones. Far from being a last resort, hospice care focuses on enhancing the quality of life, alleviating pain, and providing holistic care tailored to individual needs. It is accessible, affordable, and available to patients with various conditions. By embracing the truth about hospice care, families can navigate this stage with compassion, dignity, and the assurance that they are not alone. For more information, contact RVNAhealth at 203.438.5555.

RVNAhealth’s History

RVNAhealth historical home

 

RVNAhealth began in 1914, when a group of civic-minded women met at the Main Street home of Mrs. Ebenezer Keeler and resolved to bring homecare nursing to Ridgefield. This was the start of the District Nursing Association. Following the precedent set by Florence Nightingale in England and the Henry Street Settlement on the lower east side of Manhattan, these women introduced public health nursing to Ridgefield.

The District Nursing Association (“DNA”) was established to assist the town health officer, visit the sick and needy, establish a school health program, and disseminate health information to the community. The DNA nurse attended to patients’ environment, nourishment, treatment, and medication. In addition to general care, the nurse often found it necessary to contribute clothes, food, equipment, and housekeeping services to people in need of relief. Irene Hoyt, one of the agency’s first nurses, became the symbol of the DNA, joining in 1927, and remaining on staff until 1972.

Introducing Round-the-Clock Service

Building on knowledge gained from experience and lessons learned from the growing public health movement, the DNA further advanced the concept of healing in the home and in the community. By 1977, the DNA was providing 24-hour service, seven days a week, with 38 full- and part-time professional staff.

During the 1980s we introduced many new services, including blood pressure clinics, a nursing registry, vision and hearing screenings, wellness seminars, and support groups. The staff then included physical and occupational therapists, a dietitian and a medical social worker. In 1983, the DNA Hospice program accepted its first patients as a member of Mid-Fairfield Hospice.

By 1993, the agency was accredited with commendation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In 2002, the DNA was accredited, again with commendation, by the Community Health Accreditation Program (“CHAP”). We are licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and certified as a Medicare provider by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration. The majority of our services are funded by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers. We also benefit greatly from other income, including contributions and grants, town funding and endowment income, to cover free care and community programs.

New Millennium, New Initiatives

In 2005, The Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield, Inc., changed its name to Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association (abbreviated to “RVNA”) and began a strategic community education initiative to highlight our commitment to, and relationship with, the greater Ridgefield area. Today, our service area has expanded to 35+ towns across several counties in Connecticut.

In 2007, RVNA adopted progressive technologies that enabled clinicians to create and access electronic medical records, and to also work remotely in order to meet clients’ needs. In 2009, we introduced the Quality Living at Home program, addressing an aging demographic and becoming a regional leader among aging-in- place programs.

Recognized as one of the top agencies in our field for our strength, dedication and compassion, RVNA received the Hearst Top Workplace Award and was named to the HomeCare Elite. Both awards distinguish Medicare-certified agencies among the top 25% of providers nationwide. We have since won the Top Workplace Award more than ten times.

RVNA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014 and the century mark introduced a new era of progress and growth, with RVNA offering an expanded range of in-home and onsite services aligned with our mission and vision.

 

In 2014, we began offering non-medical caregivers to complement our clinical services (RVNAhealth Caregiving Services). In 2016, we relocated to a new building on Governor Street in Ridgefield, the Center for Exceptional Care. It features clinical rooms, a teaching kitchen, and the RVNAhealth Therapy Center. In 2018, we extended our services to include end-of-life care, with RVNAHealth Hospice Services.

Over the decades, our agency’s name and logo have evolved: Founded as the District Nursing Association, we became the Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield, and then Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association in 2006. On October 5, 2019, we announced our new name, RVNAhealth. The new name deliberately preserves our organization’s legacy and roots, yet better conveys the breadth and depth of the services and regional area we serve. RVNAhealth aligns well with our commitment to serve the lifelong care and wellness needs of individuals in the communities we serve.

In the fall of 2020, RVNAhealth merged operations with Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, and New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice.  The single agency operates as RVNAhealth with the primary location in Ridgefield CT and a branch office in New Milford. The new RVNAhealth presently serves 35+ towns in Connecticut, located in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.

We are excited and well-positioned to address the changing face of health care with a strategic vision for the future, while remaining committed to our mission of providing exceptional home and community health care services, supporting public health and safety and promoting the highest quality of life.

Stay Balanced and Confident: Fall Prevention Workshop – Danbury – FREE

fall prevention

Stay Balanced and Confident: Fall Prevention Workshop

Thursday, February 27th
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Elmwood Hall Senior Center, 10 Elmwood Pl, Danbury
(Open to the Public)

Join us for an informative session on preventing falls and staying safe at home and beyond. This workshop will cover essential fall prevention techniques and exercises to improve balance and strength, helping you feel secure and confident. Learn practical strategies, tools, and habits to keep you on your feet and give you peace of mind.

Please dress in comfortable clothing.

To register, contact the Danbury Senior Center at 203-797-4686.

Our RVNAhealth Presenter: Gigi Weiss, MSPT, CKTP

Gigi Weiss, MSPT, CKTP, is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at RVNAhealth. A licensed physical therapist with over a decade of leadership experience, Gigi has significantly expanded rehabilitation services, growing the team and enhancing patient care. Known for her expertise and hands-on approach, she is highly respected by colleagues and the community alike.

Stay Balanced and Confident: Fall Prevention Workshop – Sherman – FREE

fall prevention

Stay Balanced and Confident: Fall Prevention Workshop

Thursday, January 30th
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Ctr, Sherman
(Open to the Public)

Join us for an informative session on preventing falls and staying safe at home and beyond. This workshop will cover essential fall prevention techniques and exercises to improve balance and strength, helping you feel secure and confident. Learn practical strategies, tools, and habits to keep you on your feet and give you peace of mind.

Please dress in comfortable clothing.

To register, contact the Sherman Library at 860-354-2455 or check out their calendar to register online.

Our RVNAhealth Presenter: Kate Campbell, PT, DPT, SCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS

Kate holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Delaware, along with a background in exercise physiology, strength & conditioning, and biology. Board-certified in Sports Physical Therapy, Kate is one of only 18 physical therapists in Connecticut with this distinction. A Sportsmetrics™ trainer and certified in the McKenzie Method, Kate has also specialized in custom foot orthotics and running evaluations since 2008.

Active in the American Physical Therapy Association, Kate participates in the Orthopedic, Sports, and Geriatric Physical Therapy sections. Outside of work, Kate enjoys golfing with her family, training for triathlons, and spending time with her three young daughters.

The Benefits of Music Therapy – Bethel – FREE

Music Therapy

The Benefits of Music Therapy
Friday, January 24th  2:00-3:00pm
Bethel Public Library – 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel

Join Sherrye Platt, MA, MT-BC, RVNAhealth Music Therapist, for an engaging and interactive session exploring the remarkable impact of music therapy on brain health. This fun, hands-on program will highlight:

  • How the brain responds to music stimulation
  • The incredible benefits of music on the aging process
  • Group music-making activities designed to improve cognitive and emotional well-being
  • No previous musical experience is necessary

To Register, please call the Bethel Library at (203) 794-8756 or email Thomas Borysiewicz

Interesting Article from Harvard Health Publishing: Why is Music Good for the Brain?

Sherrye Platt, Music Therapy at RVNAhealthAbout Sherrye Platt: Sherrye While an undergraduate at Montclair State University (MSU), where she studied to be a music teacher and eventually earned her bachelor’s, Platt was introduced to music as an evidence-based therapeutic tool being leveraged across disciples including mental health, military populations, trauma victims, and those afflicted with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Platt quickly re-focused her studies to leverage the power of music to improve people’s lives. Platt earned her master’s degree at world-renowned Berklee College of Music

Breathe into the Positives

“Life is not meant to be an obstacle course, although we deal with obstacles constantly disguised as day-to-day issues.”  ~ Barbara, one of our first Parkinson’s Center Advisory Board Members.

 

Get to Know Barbara

After spending 45 years working as an Administrative Assistant while raising three children as a single mother, Barbara wanted to see the world. When a small college in Alaska offered free room and board in exchange for volunteerism, Barbara leaned into her belief that “limits are self-imposed,” and set out on an 8,000-mile adventure. Barbara spent the next decade traveling the country, doing volunteer work, and she published a book about her journey: “The Second Career Volunteer.” When diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in 2011, Barbara met the challenge with the same courage and determination with which she embraced her post-retirement adventures.

 

Enter RVNAhealth

Barbara was a fierce advocate for raising awareness of PD. In 2023, she successfully lobbied the Town of Ridgefield to proclaim March as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. When she learned about RVNAhealth’s plans to launch a Parkinson’s Center, Barbara reached out to Kate Campbell, DPT, Director of RVNAhealth’s Therapy and Parkinson’s Centers, to see how she could help. Barbara was thrilled that the program would provide much-needed education, exercise and support. Kate recalls, “She joined the first Parkinson’s Bootcamp and participated in every activity she could — floor exercises, kick boxing, even dancing. She was an inspiration to others who were just beginning their journey.”

Barbara’s mantra was to “breathe into the positives,” and that she did. As her disease progressed, she made the decision to transition to RVNAhealth’s Hospice care, with a wish to stay in her home. Her daughter, Pam, reached out to RVNAhealth and a hospice team arrived with the medical equipment she needed and caregivers in place to keep her comfortable over the next several months. True to form, Barbara still attended RVNAhealth’s Parkinson’s Center classes and bootcamp, but her new focus was on managing symptoms and enjoying time with her family.

RVNAhealth hospice volunteer, Kristy, visited Barbara weekly to offer comfort in the form of Reiki. Barbara remarked many times that during these sessions was the only time she was able to feel completely relaxed, as her tremors subsided, and she treasured the moments of peace she received. Another volunteer, Nicole, helped Barbara fulfill her dream of surprising her family with Christmas gifts – something Barbara could no longer accomplish on her own, having lost a great deal of her independence to the effects of PD. Nicole took Barbara on a shopping spree and wrapped all of the presents. Pam shared, “I’ll never forget Mom’s joy that Christmas morning.” Those moments together in their home formed priceless memories that were only possible through the care and compassion of RVNAhealth’s Hospice team.

 

RVNAhealth doesn’t just care FOR people, we care ABOUT them

RVNAhealth’s Hospice care is designed to meet the needs of the individual and family. Last year, 488 patients received compassionate end-of-life care from RVNAhealth, including special services like pet therapy, music therapy, and Reiki. Our volunteers provided 1,975 hours of companionship. It is our goal to support the physical, emotional, and social needs of each hospice family we are privileged to serve; however, we need your help to do this. It is only with support from people like you that we can maintain our Parkinson’s and Hospice programs and the many other healthcare services we offer for people at all stages of life.

Barbara was fond of Heather Cox Richardson’s quote, “It’s never too late to change the future.” YOU can help us change the future for those like Barbara and her family. We will always be here for you, too.

 

Please consider making a donation today.

You can make your tax-deductible gift to support RVNAhealth by visiting our donor page and remember, a matching gift from your employer could double your donation, furthering our mission to deliver unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed. Click here to see if your gift is match-eligible and to learn the easy steps you can take to maximize your impact!

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering in our Hospice program, please contact Stephanie Peppe at speppe@RVNAhealth.org.

 

Step Up Your Pickleball Game: Injury Prevention & Performance Tips – Redding – FREE

pickleball

Step Up Your Pickleball Game: Injury Prevention & Performance Tips

Wednesday, January 29th

3:00 – 4:00pm

Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Road, Redding

Join us for an informative session tailored to pickleball enthusiasts, featuring Sports Podiatrist, Dr. Allan Rosenthal, affectionately known as “Dr. Pickleball “known for his expertise in sports podiatry, and Gigi Weiss, MSPT, LSVT  BIG, CADDCT, CDP,  AIB-VR, RVNAhealth Senior Director of Community Rehabilitative Services.

Together, they will delve into essential topics to help players stay active and injury-free, covering skill development, selecting the best footwear for performance, injury prevention, and targeted exercises to keep you at the top of your game.

Dr. Rosenthal, a board-certified specialist in podiatric sports medicine, has treated athletes at all levels and is a trusted advisor on footwear and sports injuries. His experience includes speaking at a national workshop and numerous podcasts on pickleball injuries, a consultant to Tyrol Pickleball shoes, a certified Pickleball instructor, making him an invaluable resource for players looking to enhance performance and prevent common foot and ankle issues associated with the sport.

Whether you’re new to pickleball or a seasoned player, this presentation offers valuable insights and strategies to elevate your game safely and effectively.

Please register through the Mark Twain Library – registration link COMING SOON

Our Speakers
Dr. Allan Rosenthal
Gigi Weiss, MSPT, CDP, RVNAhealth Senior Director Rehabilitative Programs

 

Medication Management for Parkinson’s Disease with Dr. Chan – Ridgefield – FREE

Medication Management for Parkinson’s Disease with Dr. Chan

Wednesday, December 4th

12:00 – 1:00 pm

RVNAhealth, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield

Dr. Adrian Chan, Neurologist with Hospital for Special Care and Co-Director for their Center for Cognitive Health Director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, will answer questions about medication strategies beyond the foundational Levodopa/Carbidopa regimen, including:

  • Second-line and adjunct therapies and when to add or switch medications based on symptoms, treatment goals, and patient tolerance.
  • Benefits and drawbacks of these medications, including side effects
  • Discuss key interactions with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and even certain foods and supplements.
  • Best practices for discontinuing medications as symptoms progress or side effects worsen.
  • Latest developments in Parkinson’s medication, including any new drugs pending FDA approval that may offer enhanced symptom control or disease-modifying benefits.
  • Lastly we’ll explore the intersection of Parkinson’s and dementia.

Please click <<HERE>> to register for this event


About Dr. Adrian Chan, Neurologist, Hospital for Special Care, and Co-Director, Center for Cognitive Health Director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center

Dr. Adrian Chan will talk about Medication Management and Parkinson's disease

 Adrian T.A. Chan, MD completed his medical education in Ireland and is a licentiate of the College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons. He completed residencies in neuropathology and neurology at New York University Hospital Medical Center as well as a Movement Disorder Fellowship at the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in neurology.

Grief, Healing and the Holidays – New Milford – FREE

grief, healing and the holidays presentation

Grief, Healing and the Holidays

Wednesday, November 13th
9:30am – 10:30pm (breakfast provided)
New Milford Senior Center, 40 Main Street, New Milford

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The holidays can become hard for many as grief tends to cling to us. It doesn’t just affect us personally, It also becomes intertwined with specific moments and locations. RVNAhealth’s “Grief, Healing and the Holidays” presentation will include discussions covering how to cope with the emotions and feelings of the season, how to handle holiday traditions, and what to do differently – and the same.

Garrett Walkup, RVNAhealth Manager of Bereavement, Social Work and Pastoral Care Services,  will cover a number of helpful suggestions to help you with coping and healing.  Strategies such as mindset, being kind to yourself, asking for support, creating boundaries, and more will be covered.

This program is open to all members of the community and is intended to offer support through the holiday season for those who have experienced a loss. If you have any questions about this presentation, please feel free to contact Garrett by email at gwalkup@rvnahealth.org.

To Register, Please Call (860)-355-6075 or Email: jireland@newmilford.org