Frequently Asked Questions
What is hospice?Who qualifies for hospice care?
How much does hospice care cost?
When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made?
Is the home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
Does hospice make death come sooner?
How does hospice manage pain?
Is the decision to seek hospice care permanent?
Is all hospice care the same?
Is there a difference between a TNPHA non-profit hospice and a for-profit hospice?
What is hospice?
Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide medical, emotional, and spiritual comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. It neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Instead, it strives to control the symptoms that can cause pain and discomfort.
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Hospice is for anyone facing a life-threatening or terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. Patients with cancer and non-cancer illnesses are eligible.
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Those over the age of 65 are entitled to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all aspects of hospice care. In addition, most private health plans and Medicaid also cover hospice services. The non-profit hospice model ensures that no one is denied hospice services due to a lack of insurance or financial resources.
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At any time during a life-limiting illness, it's appropriate to discuss a patient's care options. Hospice is an option, and by law the decision belongs to the patient. Contact us to discuss your needs.
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No. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients reside in nursing homes, or assisted living and hospice in-patient facilities.
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Hospice care does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. It manages pain and discomfort. Hospice care is not about giving up. It's built on the belief that every day of every life matters.
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Hospice's success rate in battling pain is very high. Hospice nurses and doctors are up-to-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain. Counselors and chaplains are available to assist patients and family.
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No. If a patient's condition improves or if the patient and family so choose, they can be discharged from hospice care. If the discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, they can resume services.
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Definitely not. Training, expertise, standards, level of personal attention, and availability of volunteers and complementary therapies vary widely. Visit our First-time visitors page for a list of questions you will want answered before selecting a hospice provider.
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Yes. Our members average more than 25 years of dedicated commitment and expertise to the communities they serve. Rather than focusing on generating profits for stock dividends, they reinvest revenue to improve patient care and family bereavement support programs. The bottom line for non-profit hospices isn't a number, it's the pride in successfully delivering a deeper, more personal level of care to patients and their families.
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