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When is it time for hospice? |
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Seriously ill people and their loved ones should know about hospice as early as possible in the disease process--long before they may need the care. Understanding the hospice option enables the patient to have more control and choice about end-of-life care. Hospice care is for people who have decided not to pursue further curative care and want to emphasize comfort and quality of life. |
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Won’t the patient give up when he or she hears it is time for hospice? |
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Choosing hospice care is not giving up. Choosing hospice is simply changing the focus of care from curing the disease to controlling the symptoms. There is still a place for hope. With good pain and symptom management, information and support, patients are able to concentrate on what is meaningful to them. Most hospice patients still have plans and goals and see value in every day. In fact, one study showed that when hospice was involved early, patients lived longer than those who did not have hospice services. |
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What if the patient improves? |
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Hospice patients do improve! Patients may leave hospice when their condition improves or they decide to pursue aggressive, curative treatment. |
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Is hospice just for cancer patients? |
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No, hospice is not just for cancer patients. Care may be provided to people with any end-stage disease. |
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Is hospice expensive? |
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Hospice is very cost effective. The care is covered fully by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers. Donations from the community and contributions from the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle assure that hospice care is available to all medically appropriate people - even those who have no insurance coverage. |
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Is hospice a place like a hospital or nursing home? |
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No, hospice is a concept of care that is delivered wherever the patient resides. Hospice of the Panhandle provides home care hospice to appropriate patients at the patient’s home or nursing home in Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan and Hampshire Counties. |
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Can hospice provide caregivers around the clock? |
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No, the hour-to-hour care is the responsibility of the patient and family. Hospice patients who live alone or need assistance with 24-hour care will need to consider nursing home placement or other care alternatives, as their condition requires additional help. Hospice nurses are on-call 24 hours a day to handle questions and emergencies but hospice does not provide ongoing 24-hour care. Hospice staff and volunteers visit periodically through the week to provide medical, emotional and spiritual support and assistance with personal care. |
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How well does hospice manage pain? |
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Very well. One of the basic goals of hospice is that patients will be comfortable and pain free. Hospice nurses are experts in pain and symptom management. They work closely with the patient, family and physician to assure optimal comfort by using medications, counseling and therapies. The hospice physicians are available to advise and consult as needed. |
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Is hospice affiliated with any religious organization? |
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Hospice care is not a religious organization. While some religious groups have started hospices, all hospices serve a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs. |
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How do I get hospice care for my loved one or myself? |
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Anyone can call hospice with a referral. The hospice intake staff will need the name of the patient and the name of his or her physician. Appropriate patients are enrolled in the hospice program within 24 hours of the first call regarding admission. |
