You may have many questions about Hospice and how it will benefit you or your loved one. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more or simply want to talk with someone about Hospice.
We are here to help you in any way we can.

Why is there a resistance to hospice care?

Sometimes there is a resistance to hospice care because of the mistaken belief that hospice care means giving up on loved one. The true function of hospice care is the provision of care that makes the best of each day, in order to have a better quality of life during the final stages of an advanced illness. Individuals can, and do “graduate” from hospice to seek further curative treatment, and then return to hospice when those treatments are no longer effective or desirable.

“While hospice is care for the dying, it places special emphasis on life and living each day as fully as possible.”
                                                                                                              –Larry Beresford from THE HOSPICE HANDBOOK

Can hospice care be provided in one’s own home?

Hospice care can be provided in any type of setting. Our hospice team can provide care in one’s home, in board and care facilities, assisted living residences, skilled nursing facilities, and “anyplace one calls home.”

Should I wait for the physician to raise the possibility of hospice care, or can I raise it first?

The patient/family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, or any other healthcare professional.

Who is eligible for hospice?

Anyone who is in the last phase of an incurable illness, and is covered by Part A of Medicare. The Medicare hospice benefit pays for many services related to terminal illnesses when the patient’s physician, and the hospice medical director certify that a patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less; the patient signs a statement choosing hospice care instead of Medicare-covered benefits to treat the illness; care is provided by a hospice program approved by Medicare.

Who pays for hospice care?

Hospice care services are fully paid for in part, or in total by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.