Question 1

When is it Time to Call Hospice?

Accepted Answer

By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Hospice staff members are always available to discuss this decision with the patient, family and physician. The earlier you call, the more we can do to help you. At any time during a serious illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice.

Question 2

What Exactly Will Be Provided by Hospice?

Accepted Answer

A team of physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists and volunteers care for hospice patients, and each provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In addition, hospice provide medications, supplies, equipment, inpatient hospice, hospice services and additional helpers in the home as appropriate. We can assist with the following services:
 
• Physician-directed services
• Nursing care
• Spiritual Care
• Social work
• Certified nursing assistants
• Medical equipment
• Medical supplies
• Medications related to the hospice diagnosis and related conditions
• Pain management
• Symptom control management
• Counseling services
• Volunteer support
• Bereavement support
• Other therapies as needed

Question 3

Where is a Hospice Care Provided?

Accepted Answer

We provide care in a variety of places including:
 
• Patient’s home or apartment
• Friend or relative’s home
• Assisted living
• Nursing home
• Short-term, inpatient hospital
• Senior living

Question 4

How Do Hospice Services Manage Pain?

Accepted Answer

Our nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. Using a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them. We believe that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so we address these as well. Counselors, including clergy, are available to assist family members as well as patients.

Question 5

How Do I Know If or When My Loved One is Eligible for Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

Please, refer to the article here for a more detailed information on eligibility and indications of when hospice care is needed.

Question 6

Do Hospice Services Provide Family with Further Assistance After the Patient Dies?

Accepted Answer

The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Our bereavement program offers spiritual and emotional support to family members after the death of their loved one for 13 months. The amount of contact is determined by the needs and wishes of the patient’s family.

Question 7

Is Your Hospice Care Service Affiliated with Any Particular Organization?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely No. While some religious organizations have started hospices, we serve a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.

Question 8

Will Administered Medications Prevent Patient From Being Able to Communicate Verbally or Lose Cognizance?

Accepted Answer

Typically not because our goal is to help patients be comfortable and alert by constantly consulting with the patient. We have been successful in reaching this goal.

Question 9

Should We Wait On Our Physician to Recommend Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

The patient and family should feel free to discuss care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends.

Question 10

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

The first thing we will do is assist you in finding out whether the patient is eligible for coverage. The Medicare hospice benefit covers the cost of hospice care. Medicaid and private insurance companies also often cover hospice services. Patients who have no coverage or other available resources may be admitted under a charity program after a financial assessment.

Question 11

How are Hospice Care Services Delivered?

Accepted Answer

Our hospice team makes regular visits to assess the patient and provide care. The hospice staff has clinicians on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Question 12

How is the Patient Admitted to Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. The patient will also be asked to sign consent forms. The hospice election form explains that the patient understands that the care is palliative (aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative and outlines the services available.

Question 13

What Do I Need for Hospice Care to Come to Our Home?

Accepted Answer

We will assess your needs, recommend any necessary equipment and help make arrangements to obtain it. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses.

Question 14

Can We Stop the Hospice Care if Patient Improves?

Accepted Answer

Most Certainly. If improvement in the condition occurs and the disease seems to be in remission, the patient can be discharged from hospice. Patients can choose to stop hospice care or change their hospice provider once during each period of care. Benefit periods are defined as first 90 days, second 90 days and unlimited 60-day periods.

Question 15

What If Our Physician Does Not Know About Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

If your physician wants more information, it is available from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, medical societies, state hospice organizations and local hospices. However, most physicians know about hospice.

Question 16

Why Do Families Choose Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

This is because Hospice focuses on pain and symptom control in addition to providing emotional, social and spiritual support for patients and families. Words commonly used to describe hospice include compassion, comfort, respect, dignity and love. We believe every patient deserves dignity, compassion, and respect.

Question 17

What are Other Options for Senior Living?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most common options for senior living include:
 
• Independent Living Communities
• Nursing Homes
• Assisted Living
• Respite Care
• Residential Care Home
• In-Home Personal Care
• Alzheimer’s Care/Memory Care

Question 18

How is the Patient admitted to Hospice?

Accepted Answer

One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. The patient will also be asked to sign consent forms. The hospice election form explains that the patient understands that the care is palliative (aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative and outlines the services available.

Question 19

Will I Need Someone to be with the Patient at Times?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the individual’s physical limitations. Your hospice nurse will assess the needs and offer recommendations.

Question 20

What Levels of Care do Hospice Services Offer?

Accepted Answer

Hospice patients may require differing intensities of care. These levels include:
• Routine care
• Respite care
• Crisis care
• General inpatient care

Question 21

Do Hospice Services do Anything to Make Death Come Any Sooner?

Accepted Answer

Hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process but does nothing to either speed up or slow down the dying process.

Question 22

What Kinds of Illnesses Require Hospice Care?

Accepted Answer

These are the most common end stage diseases associated with hospice care:
 
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases
• CHF/CAD
• Liver/renal disease
• Pulmonary disease
• COPD/emphysema
• AIDS/HIV
• Neurological diseases
• Stroke
• Coma
• Parkinson’s
• Alzheimer’s
• Dementia

FAQs

We’re here with answers and information.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about hospice care. If you have additional questions, contact us.

Frequently asked questions

When is it Time to Call Hospice?