Hospice and palliative care are essential services for anyone who is entering the last phase of their life. Many senior caregivers may rightly wonder which Connecticut hospice and palliative care facilities, companies, and organizations are worth researching and what to consider when looking.
This article will review what makes hospice and palliative care good and list some of Connecticut’s highly-rated senior care facilities.
What To Consider When Researching Connecticut Hospice and Palliative Care Facilities
There are many things to consider when researching Connecticut hospice and palliative care options.
When asked what makes a good hospice and palliative care facility, Glenn Lane, President of Westchester Family Care, a home care business that serves families in Westchester County, New York, and Connecticut, said that good care starts with the people who work at the facility. “It starts with the team at all levels from the clinical and non-clinical, then the care—again both the medical care and getting the right balance on the comfort measures and quality of life,” Lane said. “The non-clinical services also play a big part in the comfort for the client and their family.”
Thankfully, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has a hospice questionnaire people can cross-reference when considering hospice and palliative care options.
A few of the notable questions featured in the NHPCO’s questionnaire are:
- Is the facility for-profit or not-for-profit?
- How many years has it operated?
- Is both palliative and hospice care available?
- Is there an inpatient unit as well as home care?
- Is it Medicare-certified?
To develop this list, I used the above comparison points to determine if the hospice and palliative care facilities were worth considering. (Note that not all providers check all the “boxes.” I didn’t eliminate these providers because I acknowledge a website can only tell you so much. I recommend calling the providers listed to get all the details.) In addition, I only researched places that received a rating between 4-5 stars on Google and checked to see if each provider also appeared on the NHPCO’s provider list. Note that these hospice and palliative care facilities are not rated in any particular order. As always, with lists such as this, I encourage you and your loved one to do unique online research and to ask a trusted doctor, and possibly a social worker, for their thoughts on hospice and palliative care facilities in your area, too.
(Another helpful decision-making tool is Medicare.gov’s provider comparison service.)
Lane seconds our call to seek outside advice. “Reach out to friends, family and loved ones who have had experiences with either hospice or palliative care,” Lane says. “Any decision should be focused on what is best for you and your loved ones in consultation with a doctor. Westchester Family Care works with several hospice providers in our area for our clients.”
Top Hospice And Palliative Care Facilities in Connecticut
1. Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Connecticut, LLC Connecticut Branch
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Connecticut serves multiple locations throughout the state and the United States. This hospice describes itself as a community-based organization operated by hospice and palliative care professionals. This hospice is Medicare-certified and is accredited by The Joint Commission. Another accreditation includes the “platinum” level “LGBT Cultural Competency Training” through Sage Care. Seasons also is a We Honor Veterans partner. (The NHPCO, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, developed the “We Honor Veterans” campaign.) This hospice is privately held and was founded in 1997.
This hospice provides four levels, including:
- General inpatient care
- Continuous care
- Routine care (home-based care)
- Respite care
Another hospice benefit includes the Cultural Inclusion Council. The Council is “committed to honoring the beliefs, identities, customs, and cultures of the patients and families” the hospice serves. Special programs within this council include “The African American Council,” “Seasons Hispanic Services,” “Jewish Hospice Services,” “Holocaust Survivor Care,” “LGBT SAGECare,” and the care within the “We Honor Veterans” program.
2. Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care
Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care is a faith-based home health care agency in Meriden. It serves multiple towns in the state. According to the hospice’s website, it was founded in 1974 and licensed by the State Department of Public Health on April 29, 1987. Then, in 1998, it became licensed to provide hospice care. It’s also Medicare-certified and a not-for-profit agency.
This hospice features home care (in-home services that aren’t hospice care but are medically related), palliative care, and hospice care. Its hospice “care” levels are:
- Routine hospice care
- Continuous inpatient care
- General inpatient care
- Inpatient respite care
3. Trinity Health of New England at Home
Trinity Health of New England at Home is a faith-based hospice that serves four areas in the state. It’s licensed by the state, certified by Medicare, and accredited by The Joint Commission. Trinity’s hospice services provide standard care, including bereavement help. It appears that Trinity Health’s services are all home-based.
Trinity Health (the parent agency that provides various types of care) was founded in 1986 (it’s also Medicare-certified), is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and is not for profit. Trinity Health also has received four stars for Patient Satisfaction and 3.5 stars for Quality of Care from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
4. Hartford HealthCare at Home, Bloomfield and Southington locations
Hartford HealthCare at Home has multiple locations in the state. (Two, which are mentioned above, received 4-plus star ratings on Google.) This hospice is Medicare-certified and provides four types of hospice care:
- Routine home care
- General inpatient care
- Inpatient care
- Continuous home care
In addition to providing general hospice services, this hospice also has an Expressive Arts program. This program aims to help grieving children and teens. Hartford HealthCare also has specialized dementia care. Hartford provides palliative care services, too. I could not determine if this hospice is accredited or has a state license. However, this hospice is not for profit.
5. Masonicare
Masonicare has five branch locations in the state. It has a state license, is certified by Medicare, and is accredited by The Joint Commission. Masonicare also has a palliative care program and is not for profit. According to the hospice’s website, Masonicare provides care “in a patient or family member’s home, nursing home, or assisted living facility. If symptoms require 24-hour skilled care, inpatient hospice can also be provided.” You can read about the history of Masonicare (and its beginnings) here. This hospice also is part of We Honor Veterans.