Date: 07/27/2009

Final
National Private Duty Association

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

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03:54 PM -- Private Duty Nurse

Lorin Chevalier, National Private Duty Association, introduced himself. He stated he works at Senior Helpers and sits on the Home Care Advisory Committee which is addressing the new home care licensing regulations. He stated that there is no reimbursement under the Medicaid/Medicare programs for non-medical providers who care for hospice patients. He spoke to the requirement one must meet to be a private duty nurse. Some of these include a background check and obtaining professional liability insurance. He stated that hospices, palliative care providers, and nursing associations are collaborating to help individuals at the end of life. Mr. Chevalier stated there is still a stigma that is attached to the term hospice. He stated that many people think that hospice means that a person is on their death bed. He stated that some kind of educational outreach would be beneficial in this capacity in promoting hospice services. He spoke to some of the issues that hospice providers encounters such as continuing 'curative' care when a patient is dying. Mr. Chevalier stated there needs to be more education regarding how and when an individual is referred for hospice care, palliative care, or medical treatment. He stated that some type of health communication exchange where individuals could exchange information would be beneficial.