Frequently Asked

Questions About Hospice

 

What is Hospice?

 

 

A special KIND OF CARE that helps people live with dignity, comfort and peace at the end-of-life.

 

What does Hospice do?

 

• Provides compassionate care for people with a terminal illness until death occurs
• Focuses on relieving symptoms and increasing comfort of the person who is dying
• Assists family and loved ones as well as the patient
• Assures that wishes for end-of-life care are honored

 

What makes Hospice unique?

 

• Its focus on preventing, treating or eliminating discomfort and pain
• A team of professionals trained in –

  • End-of-life care

  • Supporting physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs of all those caring for loved ones at end-of-life

 

What should I know about Hospice?

 

• Hospice is NOT a place
• Hospice is wherever you are
• Hospice care is provided in private homes, nursing homes, hospitals, comfort care homes and many other places people call “home”

 

Who is on the Hospice team?

 

• Physician
• Registered Nurse
• Home Health Aide
• Social Worker
• Chaplain
• Grief and Bereavement Counselor
• Volunteers

 

Who is eligible for Hospice care?

 

• Hospice serves patients – and their families – in their last months of life
• Patients who have less than six months to live as determined by their physician and a hospice medical director

 

Who pays for Hospice?

 

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Most private insurance companies
• If you or you loved one does not have insurance, some hospices can provide care at little or no cost

 

What does Hospice cover?

 

• Doctor visits/services
• Nursing care
• Medical equipment, supplies and drugs for symptom control and pain relief
• Home health aide assistance
• Social work services
• Volunteer support
• Grief and bereavement support to help you and your family
• Physical, speech, and/or occupational therapy, if appropriate
• Short-term care for symptom management in the hospital or inpatient hospice unit

 

How is Hospice care initiated?

 

• You or a loved one can call a Hospice Care program or agency that offers this type of care to learn more about starting the process
• Your physician calls a Hospice Care program or agency that offers this type of care and makes a referral for service
• Your physician signs a certificate of terminal illness
• A hospice nurse or social worker meets with you and/or your family members and explains the benefits of hospice
• You or your medical care representative or proxy signs the Benefit Election Form and service begins

 

Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?

 

• Hospice neither hastens nor postpones dying
• Some patients live longer with Hospice care than they would if they continued aggressive treatment that was not working
• The Hospice Care team provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the last phase of life

 

Where can I receive Hospice Care?

 

• At home
• In a nursing home
• In a hospital
• In a special Hospice Unit or Center
• Comfort care homes

 

What is Palliative Care?

 

• A medical specialty focused on relief of pain and other debilitating symptoms of serious illnesses
• Is not dependent on a prognosis
• Can be delivered at the same time as the treatment meant to cure you