Helpful Links
http://www.health.state.ok.us/ Oklahoma State Department of Health
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ Medicaid/Medicare Services
www.ohca.state.ok.us/ Oklahoma Health Care Authority

• What is a nursing home?  answer
• What is assisted living?  answer
• How does an assisted living facility differ from a nursing home?  answer
• What is independent living?  answer
• What is low-income housing?  answer
• What is hospice care?  answer
• When should hospice care be considered?  answer
• Is hospice a place?  answer
• Is hospice care only for patients with cancer?  answer
• What if a patient lives longer than six months?  answer
• Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?  answer
• How does hospice care improve pain relief?  answer
• What will happen if the family is unable to care for the patient, or if there is no caregiver at home?  answer
• Who will be my physician when hospice care starts?  answer
• How is hospice care paid for?  answer
• How do I start hospice care?  answer
• Are all hospice programs the same?  answer

A nursing home is a place of residence for people who require constant medical supervision. Usually, residents are elderly, but the description can apply to the mentally or physically ill. Nursing homes are required to have a licensed nurse on duty 24 hours a day.

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Assisted living facilities are for people who need assistance with activities of daily life, but maintain independent living for as long as possible. Residents in assisted living centers are not able to live by themselves, but do not require constant care.

Assisted living facilities offer help with eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with medications. Many facilities also have centers for medical care; however, the care offered may not be as intensive or as immediately available to residents as the care at a nursing home. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care.

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Nursing homes are designed to care for people with many healthcare needs who are not able to care for themselves. Assisted living facilities are designed to assist elderly persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few activities.

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Independent living is for people who want to and are able to live independently but do not want to maintain a home. Many people prefer to live in a community with others of the same age and with similar interests. An independent retirement community allows for a great deal of socialization and activities. Many independent living facilities also offer prepared meals and provide a wide range of amenities.

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Low-income housing is provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which sponsors subsidized housing for low-income families and individuals.

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Hospice is a very special way of providing comprehensive health care to patients and families who are facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice care assures patient and family comfort when a medical cure is no longer possible.

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At any time during a life-limiting illness, both the patient and his/her family members need to be aware of all the options of care, including hospice. It is very normal to feel uncomfortable about discussing the possibility of stopping aggressive and curative procedures. St. John Hospice staff members are sensitive to your concerns. We are available to assist patients and families with these discussions. While there is no pressure to make immediate decisions, it is not uncommon for our families to say they wish they had chosen hospice care sooner.

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No. It is a special way of caring for terminally ill patients. Hospice care is provided in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.

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Hospice care is available for anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less. Only about half of hospice patients have a cancer diagnosis. Other terminal illnesses include end-stage heart disease, lung disease, dementia, ALS, and others. Also, many elderly patients receive hospice care as a result of age-related complications.

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None of us know exactly how long we will live. A physician will routinely assess the patient’s illness; and if the prognosis continues to be “terminal,” the patient may continue with hospice care for as long as needed.

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Absolutely not! Hospice neither hastens death nor prolongs life, but enhances the quality of life for as long as life lasts. St. John Hospice provides care for the patient and supports the family throughout the course of the terminal illness.

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Hospice care sets the standard internationally in identifying and treating pain. Pain control is the number one goal of the hospice team. Patients who suffer from a terminal illness need not suffer additionally from severe physical pain. The patient and/or family are included in decisions regarding types of pain medications. Hospice utilizes the most advanced, comprehensive techniques for pain control, while allowing the patient to be as alert as possible.

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St. John does not require patients to have a caregiver at home and will work with those patients to determine what will happen when they can no longer care for themselves. While studies show that most terminally ill patients want to be home during this time of life, we recognize that many times this is simply not possible. St. John Hospice provides care in the home, nursing home, or assisted living facility.

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All hospice care is directed by the patient’s physician. Additionally, St. John Hospice has a medical director.

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Hospice is provided by Medicare, most private health insurance providers, private pay, and charitable care. St. John Hospice is a community-based, non-profit hospice program that provides equal services to all, regardless of ability to pay.

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If you or your family member is in need of hospice care, please call (918) 747-7901.

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No. All hospice programs do specialize in care for the terminally ill. However, quality and extent of service does vary among providers. There are over 40 hospice providers in Tulsa alone! Some operate as for-profit systems, while others operate as not-for-profit organizations.

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