COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
IS HOSPICE A PLACE?
No. Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a place. Hospice care usually takes place in the comfort of an individual’s home or wherever a patient resides.
DOES HOSPICE MEAN THE PATIENT WILL DIE SOON?
Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope and that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize a patient’s medical condition and address other needs. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death.
HOW DO I HANDLE FEELINGS OF GUILT FOR NOT DOING MORE?
Hospice is the one final gift you can give your loved one when curative medical treatment is no longer beneficial or realistic. This decision is only about the wishes and comfort of your loved one. If you ask anyone who has experienced hospice in their family, they will say “we wish we had started hospice sooner”
IS HOSPICE ONLY FOR CANCER PATIENTS?
No. A large number of patients have congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, chronic lung disease, AIDS, ALS and other debilitating illnesses.
HOSPICE IS JUST FOR THE PATIENT?
No. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, family members/caregivers is our highest priorty.
DOES HOSPICE MEANS GIVING UP HOPE?
No. With hospice, the miracle isn’t in the cure …. it is in the caring. When faced with a terminal illness, many patients and family members tend to dwell on the imminent loss of life rather than making the most of the life that remains. Hospice helps patients reclaim the spirit of life through pain management and control of symptoms. This can lead to opportunities for remembering special times, laughter, reunion and hope.
IS HOSPICE ONLY FOR OLDER PEOPLE?
No. Hospice serves people of all ages when a cure is no longer possible and the patient’s doctor believes they have six months or less to live based on the medically historical disease process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones deaths natural path. Most commercial health insurance policies provide a hospice benefit similar to the Medicare Part A and Medicaid benefit.
DOES HOSPICE PROVIDE 24 HOUR CARE?
Yes. The hospice team visits the patient intermittently and as needed, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support and visits. This hospice team does not provide 24 hours a day in person care.
ARE ALL HOSPICE PROGRAMS THE SAME?
No. Acacia Hospice is a state licensed and medicare certified program. Therefore, we must provide certain services but the range of supportive services and programs may differ. As a not-for-profit hospice our revenue is used to provide patient care and community services, versus for-profit hospices, which are accountable to shareholders.
DO PATIENTS HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR OWN DOCTOR?
No. Patients may keep their own physicians who works closely with the hospice Medical Director and team to plan and carry out care.
HOW LONG CAN WE RECEIVE HOSPICE CARE?
The Medicare and Medicaid benefit, as well as most insurances, pays for hospice care as long as the patient continues to meet the criteria for hospice care.
