About The Connecticut Hospice

The Connecticut Hospice inaugurated hospice care in America in 1974. Since then, it has been the beacon and teacher of the growing hospice movement throughout the nation, and beyond.

The Connecticut Hospice addresses physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs of patients with advanced irreversible illness, and their families. Such care is provided regardless of diagnosis and as long as the Hospice level of care is needed by the patients.

Hospice care is provided in the home, or inpatient setting by a medically directed, nurse-coordinated, interdisciplinary team, and continues throughout the period of bereavement.

The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. The First American Hospice

Hospice does not take a narrow view of complexities of the needs of patients with an irreversible illness and their families. While the control of physical pain and other physical symptoms is the central and primary concern for caregivers, it is not the only priority. The patient with an irreversible illness suffers from an array of emotional, spiritual, social and financial problems. The rationale for Hospice caregiving is that it is impossible for any one discipline to provide the range of services required. Through the team approach, Hospice helps patients and families attain optimum quality of life.

1974

First Home Care Patient

1979

Founded teaching affiliate, the Connecticut Hospice Institute (Renamed the John D. Thompson Hospice Institute in 1993)

1980

Licensed as a hospital, special hospice
Designated statewide referral center for inpatient care

1985

Only hospice accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education

1986

Medical oncology fellowship rotations offered in conjunction with Yale University School of Medicine.

1988

Opened first "Cottage" as a residence and treatment center for homeless patients

1996

Introduction of web site and Hospice "Care Phone"

1997

Authored legislation on Physician Assisted Living and guest edited Connecticut Medicine magazine devoted to subject.
Author of "Hospice and Palliative Care" in Cancer Therapeutics
World Class Textbook: Reichel's Care of the Elderly: Clinical Aspects of Aging - "Management of the Dying Patient."

1998

Accredited with Commendation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

1999

CBS News 60 Minutes news coverage re: Physician Assisted Living

1999 (Feb.)

United States Postal Stamp issued commemorating 25th year of hospice care.

Linkages with Connecticut Hospitals This list of Connecticut Hospitals presents these hospitals which refer patients to The Connecticut Hospice.
Backus Hospital Norwich	Johnson Memorial Hospital Stafford Springs	Stamford
Bradley Memorial Hospital Southington	Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Manchester	St. Mary's Hospital Waterbury
Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport	Manchester Memorial Hospital Manchester	St. Raphael's Hospital New Haven
Bristol Hospital Bristol	Masonic Hospital Wallingford	St. Vincent's Medical Center Bridgeport
CT Children's Medical Center Hartford	Middlesex Hospital Middletown	Sharon Hospital Sharon
Danbury Hospital Danbury	Milford Hospital Milford	Stamford Hospital Stamford
Day Kimball Hospital Putnam	New Britian General Hospital New Britian	Mid-State Medical Center Meriden
John Dempsey Hospital (UCONN) Farmington	New Milford Hospital New Milford	VA CT Health Care System West Haven
Greenwich Hospital Greenwich	Norwalk Hospital Norwalk	VA CT Health Care System Newington
Griffin Hospital Derby	Rockville General Hospital Rockville	Waterbury Hospital Waterbury
Hartford Hospital Hartford	St. Francis Hospital Hartford	Windham Hospital Willimantic
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Torrington	St. Joseph Medical Center	Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven

Who is eligible for hospice care?

Anyone with a terminal illness (i.e., an illness that cannot be cured by medical intervention) is eligible for hospice care. For those people who desire control of symptoms, The Connecticut Hospice provides appropriate medical, nursing and alternative interventions to decrease symptoms and discomfort.
This program is called CAN SUPPORT and services are provided both at the inpatient facility and in home care. For those people whose illness is entering its final stages, The Connecticut Hospice provides comfort care to eliminate pain and suffering at the end of life. Often, patients report feeling much more comfortable and being able to actively participate in life until the very end.

Will my physician be involved in my care at The Connecticut Hospice?

The Connecticut Hospice employs physicians and nurse practitioners who provide palliative care to patients. Hospice clinicians do consult with patients’ community physicians to determine extent of illness, treatments and interventions already trialed, and any further appropriate treatment planned. The Hospice clinicians do have specialized training in control of symptoms and, therefore, are hospice patients’ primary providers at the inpatient facility. Home care patients are managed by their own physicians, but hospice clinicians are available to make home visits and suggest treatments and interventions.

Who pays for my stay at The Connecticut Hospice?

For people who do have Medicare, the Medicare Hospice Benefit (part of Medicare A) pays 100% for hospice services. For those who have private insurance, hospice representatives contact the insurance company and set up a contract for care.

What services are available at The Connecticut Hospice?

The Connecticut Hospice has an inpatient hospital and provides home care services. In both settings, medical and nursing care, social work, arts therapy, spiritual care, physical therapy, Reikki massage, and volunteer visits are available. The nurse or other health care provider places a request with a service for the patient. Volunteers may assist a family with rides to the inpatient facility if needed.

Will my medications be continued once I begin receiving hospice services?

All medications for medical conditions are continued once someone becomes a hospice patient. Changes in medications occur when the patient’s condition requires different medications, i.e., a patient has more pain or is unable to swallow pills. In both cases, different medications may be prescribed and other medications discontinued. Hospice clinicians consult with the patient and his/her family when medication changes need to be made.

How long can I stay at The Connecticut Hospice?

There is no set time for discharge from The Connecticut Hospice. If a patient remains stable, i.e., has no new symptoms and does not require changes in his/her daily care, then the health care team will begin to discuss with the patient and family where the patient may be served more appropriately. If a patient exhibits symptoms and continues to need intensive medical and nursing care, then he/she may remain at The Connecticut Hospice. Patients who remain stable are discharged either to home or to another facility. Most times, Hospice Home Care will continue to follow these patients at home or, if The Connecticut Hospice has a contract with the other facility, in that facility. At any point when the patient develops more symptoms, he/she may be readmitted to the hospice facility for symptom control or terminal care.

When may my family and friends visit at The Connecticut Hospice?

There are no set visiting hours at The Connecticut Hospice. Friends and family are required to sign in at the front desk and may proceed to the second floor to visit their loved one. In the evening and overnight, family and visitors are asked to respect the peaceful and calm atmosphere so that patients may be able to sleep.

Once I am a patient at The Connecticut Hospice, will I be able to go home?

If a patient remains stable, then he/she may be discharged to home or another facility. Sometimes patients are eligible to remain at The Connecticut Hospice for care, but want to see their homes one more time. With support from their families, patients may be able to go home for a visit during the day.

Will my grandchildren be able to visit me at The Connecticut Hospice?

There is no age limitation for visitors. Children must be supervised and remain respectful of other patients’ rights. The arts department may be able to provide activities while children’s parents are visiting loved ones. This is best arranged in advance through the patient’s nurse.

Will my family be able to bring in the family dog while I am at The Connecticut Hospice?

Pets are allowed at The Connecticut Hospice. Dogs and cats should be on leashes and not allowed to roam free. Other animals are also welcome. We do have volunteers who bring their pets in for patients to enjoy.

For more information please send email to: mgc@hospice.com

From New Haven and Points South:

From I-95 going North, take EXIT 53. At end of exit bear right at light . Go under the underpass in the left lane. At light, take a left on to Short Beach Road for approximately 1 mile. Take left onto Double Beach Road and continue to Connecticut Hospice entrance (Gatehouse) on left.

From Hartford and Points North: