Orange Hospice - Compassionate Care in Buena Park

Why Spiritual Care is Necessary in Hospice

July 9, 2025 by Orange Hospice

Hospice care is more than just caring for the physical needs of patients. The emotional and spiritual needs of patients are just as important. At Orange Hospice, we understand this deeply and offer a holistic care approach that addresses the mind and soul. Spiritual pain can be just as acute as physical pain and can have a huge impact on the well-being of our patients.

Reasons Why Spiritual Care is Vital

Spiritual care is an important part of our hospice care and plays a vital role in the comfort of patients and their loved ones.

Provides comfort. Many patients find comfort in their religious and spiritual beliefs by connecting with the spiritual counsellor. It’s common for patients in their end-of-life journey to feel spiritual distress that can turn into physical pain. Spiritual care can help patients and their loved ones address this pain.
Provides connection. Spiritual care offers patients and their families the unique opportunity to reconnect with family members and people in their lives with whom they may have a strained relationship. Spiritual workers can help facilitate these conversations and help patients navigate their feelings.
Promotes peace and acceptance. The end-of-life journey can be accompanied by intense emotions, such as fear and regret about the past. Spiritual care can help our patients reflect on their lives and find purpose during this stage. For many, accepting that they’re nearing the end of their life can be difficult. Our spiritual care services can help patients find acceptance and experience peace.
Meeting religious needs. For many patients, religion plays a huge role in their lives, and disruption to these services can be distressing. Spiritual care in hospice can ensure that patients have access to religious rituals, texts, and pastoral support.
Provides enhanced quality of life. The emotional well-being of a patient is closely linked to their physical well-being. Spiritual care can help reduce anxiety and depression to provide tranquility in patients’ lives, ensuring they are comfortable.

Orange Hospice Spiritual Care

At Orange Hospice, our spiritual care includes:

Spiritual guidance
Spiritual screening
Religious clergy or ritual support
Family meetings
Non-judgmental emotional and spiritual comfort
Reflective listening

Compassionate Spiritual Care

At Orange Hospice, we offer a caring environment that allows our patients to draw on their individual beliefs for strength and comfort. To learn more about our spiritual care services for you or a loved one, please get in touch with the care team today at (741) 790-0594.

Hospice Criteria for Dementia in 2025

June 2, 2025 by Orange Hospice

If you or your loved one has received a life-altering dementia diagnosis, you’re probably wondering when hospice care is necessary. Because dementia is typically a slow-progressing illness, knowing when it’s time to call hospice can be challenging. However, there are some common indicators that you can use to tell when it’s time to use a compassionate hospice provider like Orange Hospice.

Common Indicators That It’s Time For Hospice

hospice care for dimentia in buena park ca

While there are eligibility requirements like a prognosis, there are signs that suggest it’s time for hospice. These include:

Loss of control over bodily functions
Severe mobility issues
Limited verbal communication
Limited ability to maintain personal hygiene
Unable to dress without assistance
Incontinence of the bladder and bowel
Nutritional deficiencies, like the inability to sustain fluid and calorie intake
Refusing to eat or difficulty swallowing

Dementia can take years to progress, and sometimes additional complications can occur, which will prompt the need for more intensive care via hospice. Some common complications of progressive dementia include:

Recurrent fevers that persist even after antibiotic treatments
Bed sores, which indicate severe tissue damage
Lung infections caused by inhaling food into the lungs
Septicemia, which can spread throughout the body
Sudden changes in mental status caused by infections and other underlying health issues

All of these signs are a clear indicator that a dementia patient needs hospice care tailored to their unique physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

Hospice Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for hospice care under Medicare, specific criteria must be met. Firstly, the patient must have a prognosis with a life expectancy of six months or less. Then, the functional abilities and comorbidities of the patient are looked at. This is done using the functional assessment staging tool (FAST scale). Hospice providers use this tool to evaluate the patient’s cognitive, physical, and behavioral functions in areas like eating, communication, and the ability to carry out daily living activities and basic personal hygiene. A stage 7 and above score indicates that the patient is experiencing severe cognitive decline.

Common comorbid conditions that are known to accelerate the decline of dementia patients are:

Liver disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cancer
Kidney insufficiency

Compassionate and Supportive Hospice Care in Orange County

Choose a hospice provider that understands the symptoms of dementia and how to provide expert care, like Orange Hospice. Our friendly and compassionate care team is experienced in providing innovative care that gives each patient respect and dignity. To learn more about our dementia care, please contact our team at (741) 790-0594.

Who is the Best Hospice in Orange County?

May 7, 2025 by Orange Hospice

Whether it’s yourself or a loved one who needs hospice care, we know that this journey can bring about complex emotions like fear, anxiety, anger and sadness.

That’s why it is so important to choose the best hospice provider in Orange County – Orange Hospice, which understands these emotions and provides patient support and support for families.

Why Choose Orange Hospice for Compassionate Care

At Orange Hospice, our compassionate and skilled team of doctors, nurses, caregivers, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, and volunteers is trained to provide the best possible care for our patients and their families. We do this with a patient-centered approach that not only cares for the physical symptoms but also the emotional and spiritual.

Death can be scary for the patient and their family members. Our chaplain and bereavement counselors work with patients and their loved ones to address their concerns and fears while sharing some coping methods.

Our mission is to ensure that every patient is treated with compassion and competency so that they can improve their quality of life and live out their final days with peace and dignity.

What We Do

To ensure our patients receive the highest level of compassionate care, our multidisciplinary team communicates and collaborates on a care plan that meets all the patients and their loved ones’ needs. Together, our team can offer a variety of services like:

Physical care, which includes pain management and symptom control
Emotional care that includes psychological support for patients and family members struggling with sadness, depression, and anxiety
Social care, which helps connect patients and loved ones to social support channels
Cognitive care to help patients and their loved ones prepare for the end-of-life stage with confidence
Spiritual care to manage complex emotions associated with death
Bereavement care to help develop health coping strategies
Respite care is provided at a skilled nursing facility or at an assisted living facility
Veterans are honored with compassionate and personalized care
Our volunteer program allows volunteers to stop by for companionship or help with things like grocery shopping, light housekeeping, pet care, and even massage therapy, pet therapy, haircuts, and childcare.

Our Promise to You

At Orange Hospice, we recognize that hospice care is not a one-size-fits-all approach and strive to provide compassionate and expert care that is tailored to the unique physical and emotional needs of the patient. We are committed to enhancing every moment of our patients’ lives when they’re with us.

Professional Care in Orange County

Start your hospice journey with Orange Hospice today by contacting the caring and devoted team at (741) 790-0594.

Does The VA Pay For Hospice Room And Board?

April 2, 2025 by Orange Hospice

If you or a loved one is a veteran and has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is approaching the final phase of your life and hospice care is required, you may be worrying about the costs and likely have questions like “Does the VA cover Hospice?” and “What is included?”

Does the VA Cover Room and Board in Hospice?

The VA does not cover hospice rooms and boarding but it does cover the hospice care itself for enrolled veterans who meet their clinical needs as part of its standard medical benefits package. There is no copay for hospice care, whether the care is provided by the VA or an organization with a VA contract.

VA Hospice Benefits

VA hospice care benefits include:

Hospice diagnosis-related visits by interdisciplinary staff
Medications
Supplies
Durable medical equipment
Ancillary services are outlined in the care plan
VA community hospices also provide bereavement support to the family

If you require more information on what is included in your VA medical benefits package, visit VA.gov

Eligibility Criteria for VA-covered Hospice Care

All enrolled veterans are eligible for hospice care so long as they meet the clinical need for hospice care.

In order to be considered eligible for hospice care, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

Have a VA physician deem your life expectancy to be 6 months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course.
Your treatment goals are focused on providing comfort rather than curing. This does not exclude disease-modifying treatments.
The veteran is able to make the informed decision to choose hospice care and forego curative treatment for the illness.

Alternative Options for Financial Assistance

If you are not enrolled with the VA, there are alternative options for financial assistance available, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, private insurance and various charities that seek to help provide hospice care to struggling families.

How to Apply for VA Hospice Benefits

If you are enrolled with the VA, you can apply for hospice benefits by meeting with your VA doctor, contacting your local VA medical center, or a VA social worker to determine your eligibility and start the enrollment process.

As an enrolled veteran, the VA will cover your palliative and hospice care under their standard medical benefits package.

Choose Compassionate and Professional Care at Orange Hospice

At Orange Hospice, we provide physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and bereavement care to support the patient and their family.

Contact us today at (741) 790-0594 to learn more about us and how we can provide the best tender care for your loved one.

How Long Does Hospice Care Last?

February 27, 2025 by Orange Hospice

There’s a common misconception that patients can only receive hospice for six months and that hospice is for those nearing their end of life. But this is incorrect. The main goal of hospice is to make sure the patient has the highest quality of life while controlling their pain, and the length of time this is needed will depend entirely on the patient’s individual needs.

Can You Stay in Hospice for More Than Six Months?

While the average stay in hospice is between 18 and 90 days, some patients will stay in hospice for even longer. The six-month prognosis requirement comes from medical insurance like Medicaid and Medicare, which require a prognosis of six months in order to pay for patients.

If by the end of the six-month prognosis, the hospice patient is still alive, the doctor will reevaluate the patient and issue another prognosis of six months. One of the most notable long-term hospice patients who helped shift this misconception about hospice was former President Jimmy Carter, who stayed in hospice care for 22 months.

Jimmy Carter’s 22-Month Stay in Hospice

In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma (skin cancer that spread to his brain), and while he received immunotherapy, he later chose hospice care over additional medical intervention to spend his remaining time with his family while receiving symptom management.

Carter received hospice care from home from February 2023 until his passing in December 2024. What was unique about Carter’s hospice journey was that his wife, Rosalyn Carter, entered hospice care with him as well until her passing in November 2023.

How Carter Shifted Public Perception on Hospice

Carter’s 22-month stay in hospice care challenged the public perception that hospice care is not just for patients who are close to their end of life. Instead, his journey highlighted that hospice care is a holistic approach to the mind, body, and soul while maintaining a high quality of life.

Chief medical officer for the Hospice Foundation of America, Angela Novas, commented on how Carter’s journey could help more people learn more about the misunderstood services of hospice care. Novas had said, “It’s been massive to have the Carters be so public, “It has shed hospice in a new light, and it’s raised questions.”

Experts note that Carter’s public long-stay in hospice care contributed to an estimated 30% increase in hospice enrollment across the country and helped reshape the conversions around end-of-life care.

Choose The Best Hospice Provider in Orange County

Choose a hospice provider for you or your loved one who understands the complex emotions during this time. Choose Orange Hospice. Our friendly and compassionate care team is committed to making our patient’s days as precious as possible for as long as they’re with us.

To learn more about our hospice services or if you have any questions, please reach out to our team at (741) 790-0594.

Weldon C.

20:28 18 Nov 24

The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all

My Nurse Concierge Nursing S.

05:07 15 Nov 24

I've worked as a nurse for quite some time, and I'm a passionate home care nurse. I've worked for many different home health and hospice agencies, and one of my favorite agencies to work with is Orange Hospice. I truly admire their philosophy of reaching out to the community and listening to what people say about what they want for their care. Moreover, they do put their patients as a top priority, and I see the difference that they are making in other people's lives. I'm glad to have found a good agency to introduce to people who need hospice services.

18:07 14 Nov 24

Sung P.

05:25 14 Nov 24

"Exceptional Care and Compassionate Support!"Our family recently experienced the incredible support of Orange Hospice, and we couldn't be more grateful. From the very beginning, we were met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our loved one was comfortable and cared for with the utmost dignity.The nurses and care coordinators were always attentive, answering all our questions and providing updates with kindness and patience. They made sure not only that our family member was at ease but also that we, as a family, felt supported throughout the entire process.What stood out the most was the genuine compassion of the staff. They didn't just treat it as a job; they truly cared about our loved one's comfort and our family's well-being. The level of personalized care and emotional support we received was beyond our expectations.If you're looking for a hospice service that truly cares, I highly recommend Orange Hospice. They made a difficult time so much more bearable for our family, and for that, we are deeply thankful.

22:03 13 Nov 24

sook C.

22:30 12 Nov 24

I really liked Orange Hospice's services. My mother was well cared for by the staff, they were all very caring and compassionate to my mother and my family. Thank you so much especially to Natt and the rest of the team for the loving care you gave to my family.

Darlene F.

18:48 08 Nov 24

I positive .my Aunt would have never received the level of care that Orange Hospice has provided. I only need to text Nat and literally within hours I have whatever meds, weekly texts from.the urses in detail listing all her vitals, her conversation , her well.being alert etc. I.consider myself and our family extremely fortunate to.have been provided this level of care. Believe I have heard horror stories from my friends concerning their loved ones. My Aunt just celebrated her 96th birthday omOctober 18th. That would not have been possible withoutOrange Hospice. A shout out to Kathy for her detsiled weekly assessments . You have definitely extended her life. Thanks to all of you

Walker P.

05:14 08 Nov 24

This is an excellent hospice company. As a DON at one of the leading Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Orange County area I would 100 percent recommend this company. Always professional and on point. All nursing services are on point.

Nam P.

15:54 30 Oct 24

I can't express enough gratitude for the compassionate care my loved one received at Orange Hospice. The staff were incredibly attentive, providing not just medical support, but also emotional comfort during a very challenging time.Thank you

Maurice L.

00:14 23 Oct 24

Orange Hospice delivered exceptional service that truly exceeded our expectations. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support during a difficult time. Their team was consistently available whenever we needed assistance, ensuring that our family member received the highest level of care. We were particularly impressed by their compassionate approach and extensive knowledge, which provided us with comfort and confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you, Orange Hospice, for your remarkable dedication and support.

Sydney P.

23:24 22 Oct 24

Orange Hospice was a true blessing for our family as they cared for my grandmother with such tenderness and respect. The staff was attentive, patient, and always went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable and well-cared for. They also provided emotional support for our family during a very difficult time. The compassion and professionalism they showed made a huge difference, and we are forever grateful for their kindness. We couldn’t recommend Orange Hospice enough for anyone needing hospice care.

Maile F.

16:32 27 Aug 24

I am deeply grateful for the Orange Hospice team. The staff consistently went above and beyond to provide our whole family with comfort and care when we needed it most. The warm and compassionate environment offered our family much needed support during a difficult time and we will always be grateful for everything they did to help us during this time.