hospice FAQ'S
- When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made - and who should make it?
- Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
- Can I change my mind and leave the hospice program?
- What does the hospice admission involve?
- Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
- How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
- Must someone be with the patient at all times?
- How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
- What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients?
- Does hospice do anything to make a death come sooner?
- Is caring for a patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
- How does hospice manage pain?
- What is hospice's success rate in battling pain?
- Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what is happening?
- Is hospice affiliated with any religious organizations?
- Is hospice care covered by insurance?
- If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
- If the patient is not covered by Medicare or another health care plan, will hospice still provide care?
- Does the hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
1. When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made -- and who should make it?
At any time during a life limiting-illness, it is appropriate to discuss the patient's care options, including hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping curative treatment and allowing the disease to take its natural course. Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and always are available to discuss them with the patient and family.
2. Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends.
3. Can I change my mind and leave the hospice program?
Absolutely. If a patient's condition improves or stabilizes or the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from hospice and may even return to aggressive therapy. If a discharged patient should later need hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance companies will allow coverage to resume.
4. What does the hospice admission involve?
If the patient’s physician did not make the referral to the hospice program, Hospice will contact the patient's physician for approval. A hospice team will then visit the patient at his/her place of residence to assess and gather information. The patient or representative will be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital. The signed election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is, aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the services available. This form also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage for a terminal illness.
5. Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before hospice care begins?
Your hospice provider will assess your needs, recommend any equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain any necessary equipment. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses. In general, hospice will assist in any way it can to make home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible. Equipment is usually covered by insurance.
6. How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
There is no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is design an individualized care plan that will, among other things, address the amount of care giving needed in an individual situation. Hospice staff visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions and provide support.
7. Must someone be with the patient at all times?
In the early weeks of care, it is usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, hospice generally recommends someone be there continuously. There are a variety of ways that respite care can be provided to the caregiver if requested.
8. How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
The process of dying is different for every person - how long it takes, how disabling it is. Caregiving can become challenging. Nights can be long and scary and sleep disrupted. Hospice staff teach caregivers the "how to's" and are available to answer questions 24-hours a day, and help you to know when to seek additional help if necessary.
9. What specific assistance does hospice provide home-based patients?
Hospice patients are cared for by a team of highly trained physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, therapists, and volunteers - each providing assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In addition, hospice helps provide
medications, supplies, equipment, hospital services, and additional helpers in the home, if needed.
10. Does hospice do anything to make a death come sooner?
Hospice does nothing either to speed up or slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.
11. Is caring for a patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
No. Although 90% of hospice patient time is spent in a personal residence, some patients live in nursing homes, foster care homes or hospice centers.
12. How does hospice manage pain?
Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain. Nurses and physicians are continually trained in state of the art pain and symptom relief, with the goal of keeping patients fully alert while being pain free. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, massage and diet counseling.
13. What is hospice's success rate in battling pain?
Very high. Using a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, most patients can be kept pain free and comfortable.
14. Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what is happening?
Usually not. It is the goal of hospice to allow the patient to be pain free but alert. By constantly consulting with the patient, hospices have been very successful in reaching this goal.
15. Is hospice affiliated with any religious organizations?
Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County is not affiliated with any religious organization. While some religious organizations have hospice programs (sometimes in connection with a hospital), our hospice serves the entire community and does not require our patients to adhere to any particular beliefs or receive chaplain visitations. However, all religious traditions are respected by hospice professionals, as are persons who have no chosen tradition.
16. Is hospice care covered by insurance?
Hospice coverage is widely available through Medicare and HMOs. Benefits for hospice care are provided by Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance policies.
17. If the patient is eligible for Medicare, will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
Medicare covers all services and supplies that are related to the terminal illness.
18. If the patient is not covered by Medicare or another health care plan, will hospice still provide care?
The first thing hospice will do is assist families in finding out whether the patient is eligible for any coverage they may not be aware of. Barring this, most hospices will provide service for anyone who cannot pay using philanthropic dollars and memorial gifts.
19. Does the hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
Hospice provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least 13 months following the death of a loved one. Hospice & Palliative Care of Washington County also provides bereavement groups and counseling programs for anyone in the community who experienced a loss, including children and teens. |
