Eligibility for Hospice Care

Any person with a life-limiting illness and life expectancy of six months or less is eligible for hospice care. Any life-limiting illness such as heart disease, emphysema, Alzheimers, cancer, Parkinsons, ALS and even a general decline are hospice-eligible.

A patient must have a physician who certifies their life expectancy. Their doctor remains their attending physician throughout their hospice care. If a patient has no doctor, our medical director is available.

Hospice Services provided at your home or nursing home:

Hospice care is based on a team approach. The idea is that it takes people with a variety of expertise to fully meet the needs of a patient and their family:

Nurses are actively involved in helping patients manage any symptoms they may have, serve as a liaison between patients and their physicians, teach about the illness, offer tips on how to care for loved ones, manage medications and related tasks. An on-call RN is available 24 hours a day.

Certified nursing assistants give personal care such as baths, bed changes, dressing changes, etc. We also provide extended respite for patients with working caregivers.

Social workers provide the patient and family with counseling, emotional support and assistance in use of community agencies, management of resources, and end-of-life issues.

Chaplains provide spiritual and pastoral counseling for the patient, and bereavement support and counseling, if requested, for the family. They are also available for funerals by request.

Volunteers offer respite care, run errands, offer emotional support and provide companionship.

Professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists are available when needed.

Bereavement counselors provide a variety of aftercare services, including educational materials; periodic contacts in person, by telephone, and by mail; and support groups for family members.

Even financial needs can be met by us, as hospice care usually provides payment for all medicine, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice illness without any co-pay or deductible!