Frequently Asked Questions
Hospice Care FAQs
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a unique philosophy in healthcare, providing services that focus on comfort rather than cure for people with any end-stage, terminal illness. Hospice provides quality of life for the person for whatever time remains, meeting not only their physical needs, but their spiritual and emotional needs as well. The person, not the disease, is the center of attention. In addition, Hospice addresses the concerns of the person’s family.
How does someone get hospice care?
Anyone can request information directly from us, or from their doctor or nurse practitioner, about hospice care. Your primary healthcare provider can help determine if hospice care is appropriate for you and contact us to make a referral for your admission to hospice care. If you don’t have a local physician, we can provide you with a list, or our medical director will be able to assist you.
How is hospice care delivered?
Once a person and their family selects hospice care, a registered nurse and medical social worker help the person and designated family members develop a comprehensive plan of care that supports the person’s values and choices. This plan of care includes, among other things, the physical, emotional and spiritual goals of the patient; the other team members desired; and the frequency of visits by each team member. Other team services made available to the patient and their family are: physician, certified nursing assistant, chaplain, bereavement counselor and trained volunteers.
Where is hospice care delivered?
Hospice of the Carolina Foothills delivers care to people wherever they live: in private residences, in nursing homes, in assisted living and retirement communities, and in hospitals. We are building a Hospice House that will be open in late summer 2008.
When is the right time for hospice help?
If you are diagnosed with an advanced illness, start the conversation with your doctor then. Hospice of the Carolina Foothills provides a continuum of services and resources appropriate for any family coping with advanced illness. These include:
- Palliative care
- Bereavement care
- A special approach to care for people with dementia
- Information on advance care planning
- Information on community resources
We are committed to helping you find the best resources to meet your specific needs.
How is hospice care paid for?
Hospice services, equipment and medications related to the person’s terminal diagnosis are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. Thanks to the generous support of our community, hospice care is available to all who need it, regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay.
Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
No. Hospice does nothing to either hasten or unduly prolong the dying process. Hospice provides expert knowledge and a compassionate presence during this very intimate, and often difficult, time for families. Our services are designed to bring comfort, control pain and other symptoms; address the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their family and caregivers; and provide assistance in matters of practical concern.
What kind of training do your volunteers receive?
Patient companion volunteers must complete a 12-hour minimum, comprehensive training program. Included in the training are the hospice history and philosophy, the concept of interdisciplinary team care and the medical, emotional and spiritual aspects of hospice care. Disease processes, stress relief and communication skills are also part of this very thorough training conducted by our Hospice staff and active volunteers. Prospective volunteers, like employees, are interviewed thoroughly by members of the management team. References are required and both criminal and driving records are reviewed.
What is the history of hospice care?
The word “hospice” (derived from the same root as “hospitality”) can be traced back to Roman times. In medieval Europe, it referred to way stations where weary travelers could rest, where pregnant women could give birth, and where the ill could recover or find a peaceful death. The modern hospice movement was begun in London in 1967 by Dr. Cicely Saunders, who wrote that the process of dying “is the search for who you are, what the world is about, and what your place in it somehow is.” Dr. Saunders provided her patients with the best medication possible to control pain so they and their families could address the emotional and spiritual challenges the faced. In 1968, Florence Wald, then dean of the School of Nursing at Yale University, brought the idea of Hospice to the United States. Hospice was brought to the Carolina foothills in 1981 as Hospice of Polk County. In 1995, the name was changed to better reflect our two-state service area.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Hospice staff members are happy to answer any of your questions and give you all the information you need by phone, letter or in person. Our office in Columbus is located on the campus of St. Luke’s Hospital and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our main phone number is 828.894.7000; the toll-free number is 800.617.7132.