Support

• What support is available to my loved ones to help with my care?

  Gulfside Hospice aims to provide your family with targeted support while they help you achieve your care goals. This may include:

  • Emotional and spiritual support, instrumental help, and training from nurses, chaplains, and social workers
  • Caregiver Support Services, including therapeutic support groups, caregiver trainings, and other educational offerings
  • Volunteer services, including companionship, occasional respite, veteran pinning ceremonies and veteran-to-veteran visits, Patient and Caregiver Telephone Support (PACTS), Pet Peace of Mind support, and Gift of Presence
  • Bereavement services for individuals, families, and groups to help understand and cope with grief and loss

• How can I obtain additional assistance at home above what may be provided by Gulfside Hospice?

  •  First, consider exactly what kind of assistance you or your loved one may need. Assistance with tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication management, or “sitter services” may be provided by a hired caregiver or, in some cases, one’s family and friends. Help with hands-on care, such as bathing, feeding, toileting, or mobility/transfers may require a personal care aide or CNA. Hospice volunteers may be able to provide companionship or occasional respite, but they cannot provide any hands-on care.
  • Talk with your Gulfside social worker about private duty care agencies that serve your area and resources that can assist with the costs of care. Some forms of care may be covered or subsidized by long term care insurance, but traditional Medicare and supplemental plans do not typically cover additional home-based care while a beneficiary is enrolled in hospice care.

• What if my loved ones are traveling, or simply need a short break to continue caring for me?

  • The Medicare Hospice benefit includes occasional Respite to ease caregiver strain and prevent burnout. Per the guidelines set by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Respite includes care for up to five nights at a contracted Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or at the Hospice Inpatient Unit. During this time all routine care, meals, and medications will be provided by facility staff so that your family can rest and recharge with confidence.
  • Talk with your Gulfside social worker to access Respite care.

• How can I receive assistance with Advanced Care Planning, such as a living will or Healthcare Power of Attorney?

  • Understanding the choices available and communicating YOUR choices to loved ones who may act on your behalf is vital, but the process of advanced care planning can be overwhelming. Talk with your Gulfside social worker about developing advance directives for medical decision making.
  • Legal or financial planning, such as Durable Power of Attorney or directives for assets/ property, should be completed with the assistance of a qualified attorney or legal service. Your Gulfside social worker can help you find resources for these services in the community if needed.
  • The Florida Department of Elder Affairs provides a statewide Senior Legal Helpline through which adults aged 60 and older may receive civil legal advice or referrals by phone. The tollfree number for the DoEA Senior Legal Helpline is 1-888-895-7873.