What can VITAS do for a person with heart disease?
For some, the word hospice evokes a false notion of giving up. Hospice is not about surrendering to disease or death. In fact, our name, VITAS, comes from the Latin word for lives. It’s true; hospice is not about adding days to your life. But it is about adding life — quality of life — to your final days, weeks and months.
VITAS has set the standard for palliative treatment of end-stage heart disease in all of its forms. The hospice plan of care is designed for the treatment of a wide range of symptoms, including:
Shortness of breath Chest pain Weakness and fatigue Functional decline Hypertension
When you turn to hospice, you may take comfort in knowing you are not alone in your journey and that every member of your VITAS care team is extremely experienced in guiding people through this most challenging stage of the disease and their lives.
VITAS’ commitment to people with heart disease
As a person in the care of VITAS, your status will be regularly evaluated and your plan of care will be continuously updated to meet your needs as your symptoms and condition change, even on a day-to-day basis. Here’s just some of what VITAS’ comprehensive services can do for patients:
Pain and symptom control – VITAS specialists in pain and symptom management work to ensure patients are comfortable, free of pain, and are able to enjoy life and remain in control of day-to-day decisions for as long as possible. Care wherever you call home – VITAS offers care in a variety of settings to meet each individual’s needs. We refer to these various services as our levels of care. The purpose is to care for patients wherever they live — whether that’s in their house or other residence, such as a long-term care facility or assisted living community. At times when the patient’s symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, the patient may be moved to a facility where around-the-clock symptom management can be provided. Our goal is to stabilize the patient, so that he or she can return home as soon as possible. Coordination of care at every level – You can count on VITAS to consider all of your unique needs and desires and develop a personalized plan of care with the advice and consent of your personal physician. As caregivers and advocates for our patients, we supervise all facets of the plan of care and your own team manager will ensure that information flows between your physician(s), nurses, social workers and even clergy. In addition, VITAS coordinates the provision of medications, medical supplies and medical equipment related to your diagnosis. A VITAS nurse is always just a phone call away — The heartbeat of VITAS after hours, Telecare provides you with healthcare support around-the-clock. Telecare staff can dispatch a VITAS nurse or social worker, contact your physician or the hospice physician, or take any measures needed. View our Telecare video. Emotional and spiritual assistance – VITAS understands that when people are facing the end of life, they need support to maintain their emotional and spiritual well-being. Individuals differ in their desire for counseling and in their religious beliefs. These essential resources are available to meet whatever your specific needs may be. Bereavement services for your loved ones – At VITAS, experience has shown us that one of the most important concerns for many hospice patients is the comfort and well-being of their loved ones. VITAS bereavement support services are designed to provide the support families and loved ones need to express and cope with their grief in their own personal manner. VITAS grief and bereavement resources are available for a year or more.
1 National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. 2008 National Summary of Hospice Care. Nov, 2009.
Hospice care for people with heart disease.
When is the right time to ask about hospice?
What can VITAS do for the family or loved ones of a person with heart disease?
What are the overall benefits of hospice care?
How can I approach the hospice discussion with my loved one(s)?