APRIL 8-12, 2019 • An AMAZING Trip!

We had a wonderful visit to Myrtle Beach! Where did the days go? We traveled with the nicest group of people; everyone was so happy, polite, helpful and courteous … we all made a lot of new friends!

Our bus driver was adorable, everyone wanted to adopt him and take him home! Diamond Tours are fantastic trips, so organized, things just fl ow so smoothly. Our itinerary
included a visit to a working farm, museums, quaint shopping areas, gift shops and restaurants. And of course great shows; we saw some fantastic entertainment, a magic show and maybe best of all comedy. We didn’t have to drive to places we are not familiar with, we didn’t have to fight city traffic. Our stops were planned and there was always someone there to greet us and tell us where to go. We had the comfort and security of knowing people were watching out for each other yet respecting our independence. So many of us are widows or widowers and don’t like to travel alone, we have the solution! Join us next time, forget about those aches and pains, they will still be there when you return but you will have had an amazing experience for a few wonderful days.

Submitted by Jill Blakeway

Hospice Care: What to expect when your loved one is at home

A main concern for most people faced with terminal illness is whether they’ll be able to die wherever they call “home.” Hospice care helps eliminate that worry, making it possible for people to spend their final moments of life in their preferred surroundings. By definition, hospice is intended to help terminally ill people remain comfortable during the last six months of their lives. The care can be administered at the patient’s home, hospice inpatient units as well as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities or residential care facilities.

When a loved one is receiving hospice care at home, these are the questions hospice providers are often asked:

• How will pain be managed? Hospice is an end-of-life care option tailored to the needs of each patient and family. It includes expert pain management, but also goes
beyond medical care, by providing emotional and spiritual support. The care is provided by interdisciplinary teams of palliative care experts, including physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement specialists and volunteers.

• If the patient prefers to remain at home, what kind of assistance and in-home care will be available? Routine home care is available in accordance to the patient’s individualized plan of care. Continuous care, during a brief period of crisis, can be available for up to 24 hours a day. When patients or family members have questions or concerns after business hours, they can often get immediate answers and help by calling an after-hours service.

• What does hospice care cost? Does insurance cover it? Medicare pays for hospice services. Many states have established Medicaid coverage for hospice, and almost all private insurers and managed care plans provide coverage for hospice care as well.

For more information about hospice care or your end-of-life care options, call VITAS Healthcare at 321-751-6671 or visit www.VITAS.com/Florida

By Susan Acocella, VITAS Healthcare General Manager