Myths & Realities of Hospice Care

Anyone can refer someone to hospice care. While it’s the provider’s responsibility to determine whether a patient meets the medical eligibility criteria, it’s appropriate for the patient to ask about hospice. Patients and families often say they wish they had gotten hospice services sooner, so we recommend talking about hospice care when given a life-limiting diagnosis, even though services may not be needed for a while.

Today, while many hospice patients have cancer, about two thirds of the patients have other life-limiting illnesses such as end-stage heart disease, liver or kidney failure, or complications with dementia.

With hospice, hope can transcend the disease, allowing the patient and their loved ones the opportunity to hope for “good days.” In the best situations, patients can hope to fulfill items on their bucket list and spend quality time with loved ones. Studies have shown that people on hospice can live longer than those who are not receiving hospice care.

Hospice is not a place. It is a philosophy of care that brings the medical team to wherever a patient is living. Private homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, or long term care facilities are all places where people can receive hospice.

As a hospice patient, you get to choose which provider you’d like to follow your care. Our medical director works closely with your family doctor or specialist, who is encouraged to remain engaged and help determine the specific medical needs that will be addressed in your individual plan of care.

Hospice is covered under the Medicare A hospice benefit, Medicaid, and most private or commercial insurance plans. Due to the incredible generosity of community donors who support our Hospice of the Northwest Foundation, patients are never denied hospice care regardless of their ability to pay.

The hospice care team helps caregivers and family members cope during this time of transition. The nurses, aides, social workers, and counselors provide support to address the physical, spiritual, and psycho-social needs of the patient and their loved ones.

A patient is eligible for hospice when a prognosis of six months or less is determined. There is work to do at end-of-life, and our team helps each patient reach the goals that are important to them. Initiating services early allows the hospice team to provide support and comfort care for a patient and their loved ones. The sooner a person starts hospice services, the more they and loved ones can be supported.

All hospices that participate with Medicare are required to meet the same guidelines, however the support services may differ between them. At Hospice of the Northwest we have a dedicated team of healthcare providers, social workers, and spiritual counselors who are supported in patient care by our volunteers, music and massage therapists, and grief counselors. The entire team is integrated and works together to design a plan providing the best care for patients and their loved ones.