What is Hospice Types
of Hospice Care Hospice is About Living
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is hospice provided?
Hospice is a home-based program and the staff comes to you in your home.
Studies have shown that 70-90% of people interviewed would like to die at home;
yet 2/3 of Americans over 65 die in a hospital or a nursing home. Hospice lets
you choose and gives you and your family the support to meet your goal.
Not only is the goal to help the patient die where they choose, but also is aggressive in helping every day be the best the patient can experience, to live everyday to the fullest.
What if I can't afford Hospice care?
All patients can receive hospice regardless of ability to pay. Services are
based on need, not ability to pay. Many insurers provide a hospice benefit, and
a majority of our patients are eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
Is Hospice care for patients diagnosed with cancer?
Any patient who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness is
eligible for Hospice. Cancer is the most common, but there are other diagnoses,
which may lead to a 6 month or less life expectancy. Some of those non-cancerous
diagnoses may include: Alzheimer's disease, liver disease, Lou Gerhigs disease (ALS),
heart and lung disease such as COPD, emphysema, and heart failure.
What if a new treatment is developed that can cure my illness?
You always have the option of "opting out" of Hospice without
experiencing any penalty. This would allow you to receive any treatments you and
your physician would think is beneficial.
I don't want Hospice yet, because I'm not ready to die. Is there anything
Hospice can do for me?
AMC Hospice is here to help patients and families deal with a
life-threatening illness-it is for improving your life and helping you live
everyday to the fullest. Hospice provides you with the control of the symptoms
that might keep you from participating in activities you enjoy. Hospice staff
will help you find ways to communicate special needs with family and friends so
that you will be able to strengthen those relationships. Experts, our patients
and families, agree that patients need to be enrolled in hospice for at least 60
days to maximize its benefits, in terms of pain and symptom management and
psychological and spiritual support.
What are the goals of hospice care?
Many experts in care of patients with a life-threatening illness agree that
hospice is the "gold standard" in end-of-life care, in terms of both
quality and cost-effectiveness. Family members consistently report the quality
of hospice care to be excellent. Besides providing the symptom management AMC
Hospice will also help patients attend to practical issues that may create
concern such as:
- Completing an advanced directive for medical care and choosing a Durable Power of Attorney
- Time to reflect on and take inventory of life
- Assist with spiritual issues
- Completing unfinished emotional business
- Saying goodbye
- Making funeral decisions
If I go into the hospital, will the Hospice staff still see me?
Regardless of where you are, Hospice will follow your care. When you go into
the hospital for care related to your terminal illness, Hospice will follow your
care and be involved in your plan of care.
If I go into a nursing home, will the Hospice staff still see me?
This question is more difficult to answer. If you have Medicare, we can
continue following your care in the nursing home if your nursing home stay is not
related to your terminal illness.
Example: If you have heart disease and you go into the nursing home for therapy following a broken hip, Hospice can continue providing your care. However, if you go into the nursing home for skilled care related to your terminal illness, Hospice is required to discharge you from the Hospice benefit.
Example: If you have cancer and need continuous intravenous pain medications and go to a nursing home to receive the care under the Medicare skilled care benefit, Hospice would be required to discharge you from the Hospice program. You could be readmitted to hospice when you returned home again.
Medicaid patients can receive Hospice care regardless of the reason for the nursing home admission.
Who will make the decisions regarding how I am cared for?
You are in charge of your care. The interdisciplinary team will discuss
options with you and allow you to determine how your care will proceed. There
are specific rights for the patient or your caregiver, which AMC Hospice
follows. See also the AMC Privacy
Practices.
What kind of things do I need to accomplish to make it easier for my
family?
By accepting Hospice, you have already made it easier for your family. AMC
Hospice provides care to the family as well as the individual patient. The
Hospice staff will provide your family with ways to help care for you as well as
support during that care.
What does it mean when the staff tell me that the Hospice benefit means I
give up my conventional Medicare benefit?
When you sign up for the Hospice Benefit, Hospice becomes responsible for your
care including paying for any services and needs related to your terminal
illness. However, if you were to required medical care such as care of a broken
bone, hospitalization for a diagnosis other than the one used to admit you to
Hospice, your conventional Medicare benefit would till be billed. Your physician
would also continue to bill your Medicare the same way used prior to your
admission to Hospice.
What services will help my family?
In addition to the services to help the family during your care, Hospice also
offers bereavement support for 13 months after death. This support includes
counseling based on the desires of the family and support groups.