Hospice meets patients wherever they are, whether it’s a private home, nursing facility or assisted living community. When it’s time to start hospice, you will need medical equipment and supplies to ensure your loved one is comfortable—no matter where their care takes place.
Most, if not all, of the suggested equipment is covered by your insurance and will be provided by your hospice provider. Learn more about the types of medical equipment your loved one may need.
What’s Covered by Medicare Benefits?
Many hospice patients are covered through Medicare. If your loved one has worked over the course of their life, they’ve paid into Medicare and are likely eligible to receive the hospice benefit. Medicare benefits cover what your loved one will need for hospice—from the services offered to the equipment needed.
Medicare covers the following:
- Durable medical equipment. Durable medical equipment may be needed to relieve pain and manage symptoms. Medicare covers any necessary medical equipment that is prescribed by a doctor and can be used at home.
- Medical supplies. Bandages, catheters and other supplies required for care are also covered.
- Prescriptions. Medicare covers prescriptions related to managing pain or symptoms from the patient’s terminal illness.
Medical Equipment for Home Hospice Care
Each patient’s circumstances and plan of care is unique. Your hospice team will recommend equipment and supplies based on your loved one’s condition and wishes. Many patients need the following equipment:
- Hospital beds. A hospital bed makes it easier for caregivers to administer care—especially if a patient’s current bedroom is located on another level of the residence. Hospital beds can be placed in living areas or dining areas located near a bathroom. Electric hospital beds allow caregivers to adjust a patient’s sitting position easily.
- Wheelchairs. Caregivers often need assistance transferring loved ones in and out of bed or to another room. Having a wheelchair at the ready helps move a patient from their bed to the bathroom or other areas of the home.
- Oxygen equipment. Your loved one may need an oxygen concentrator, portable oxygen tanks and tubing as directed by their hospice team and care plan.
- CPAP machines. Drifting into a comfortable sleep can be challenging for patients. Many terminal patients struggle with insomnia. A CPAP machine can help patients get better sleep and stick to a routine.
- Blood pressure monitors. Your hospice care team will keep track of your loved one’s blood pressure, heart rate and vitals throughout the course of care.
- Shower chair. As patients grow weaker or become less mobile, bathing regularly can be difficult for the patient and the individual providing personal care. Shower chairs (or bath chairs) offer patients support while bathing, making it easier and safer to do so.
- Bedside commodes. Patients may need a portable bedside commode if moving to the bathroom is too much effort. Bedside commodes help prevent falls from traversing from one room to the next.
- Bedpan. Sometimes patients are unable to get out of bed. If a patient cannot move from their bed, a bedpan may be required for toileting.
- Lifts. Transferring someone to and from a hospital bed is not easy. Lifts help caregivers move and reposition patients as needed.
Hospice Supplies For Care
In addition to medical equipment, you may need general medical supplies to care for your loved one. Having supplies on hand helps the hospice team provide care.
- Bandages and gauze
- Briefs, pads or adult diapers
- Catheters
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable needles and syringes
- Adult wet wipes
What Makes Seasons Hospice Special?
At Seasons Hospice, we eliminate the stress of starting hospice care. Our patients do not need to order their own medical equipment. Seasons Hospice owns durable medical equipment, which allows our care teams to deliver equipment quickly to the patients who need it.
We accept almost all private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements as payment in full for hospice care—and that includes the cost of medical equipment. Learn more about what makes Seasons special by visiting the Our Difference page.
Need more information? Contact Seasons Hospice of Springfield to get started today.
