What exactly is contained in a standard Group Home Policies and Procedures Manual? A typical policy and process manual will outline all of the services and amenities of a Group Home provides to those who are terminally ill. Often times, those policies and procedures also detail the kinds of activities the organization conducts with regard to patient care, including interaction, counseling, and spiritual support. A Group Home policy and process manual are often used by family members and loved ones who are caring for a dying person to share some important information about the importance of maintaining dignity and peace in the last days and hours of a person’s life.
Group Home Policies and Procedures Manuals instruct family members and caregivers about how to provide compassionate and dignified care for a terminally ill patient who is nearing the end of his life. The purpose of a Group Home policy and process manual is to inform these individuals about the various actions that they are expected to take with regard to the care of a terminally ill patient. The manual may also instruct caregivers about what they should do when the need for Group Home care arises and how they should act in situations that might pose a danger to the life or health of the patient. Many people mistakenly believe that Group Home care is a kind of “here it is, take it or leave it” kind of practice. However, a Group Home policy and procedures manual actually explains what the benefits of this type of care are and how it differs from other forms of palliative care.
Group Home is often thought of as an exclusive last-stage care option for people who are terminally ill. However, this is not the case. Group Home is designed to offer patients and their families peace of mind about the prospect of an end-of-life care. Quality group home policies and procedures manuals will go into great detail about what is covered by this type of end-of-life care.
Group Home provides individuals and families with four specific types of services that make this life-saver possible for those who need it. These include care management and supports, spiritual support, non-medical support and respite care. Care management refers to the management of daily personal care needs and life assistance. Spiritual support and non-medical support can be described as counseling services, comfort, counseling, or help with finding appropriate ways to cope with death and dying. Non-medical support can be any forms of support that help families deal with emotional aspects of dealing with the death of a loved one without becoming overwhelmed. Respite care options allow family members to rest, physically or mentally prepare for the inevitable, and have some time to grieve in between normal activities of daily life.
Having this documentation in place makes Group Home care accessible to all patients and families. This is the most effective way to ensure that no patient is left out because there is an urgent need to obtain treatment that they cannot afford. When policies are written by trained, compassionate people they take into account the individual medical condition of each person involved, as well as the preferences of the patient’s family and friends. They also take into consideration what other treatments the patient may need in the months and years following the Group Home decision.
Policies and procedures manuals should be reviewed periodically to make sure that they are still current and accurate. Updating documentation on policies and procedures for Group Home patients ensures that the practice is operating properly and effectively. Group Home policies and procedures manual templates can also be used as references when talking to insurance and government agencies about coverage requirements and options. Having up-to-date information about end-of-life choices can save a lot of headaches and frustration for families and patients in the future.