Hospice Frequently Asked Questions
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Hospice is most often for people who are expected to live six months or less. A person in hospice receives medical treatments to relieve pain and other symptoms, but not to cure their illness. Hospice care teams focus on making the person physically comfortable while supporting them and their family emotionally and spiritually.
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No. Hospice is a service. If you’re in hospice, you receive physical, emotional, and spiritual care from a team, whether it’s in your home, at an independent/assisted living campus, or at a skilled nursing facility.
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Anyone expected to live six months or less qualifies for hospice care.
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Absolutely not! Even though your illness can’t be cured, you may still greatly benefit from the type of care you receive in hospice. Services focus on enhancing your quality of life, relieving symptoms, and taking steps to lessen your distress. A hospice team can help you and your family make the most of your remaining time together.
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It’s a personal decision. If you qualify for hospice, it may be time to start having conversations about it. Feel free to give us a call. We can talk about your unique situation and whether or not hospice might be right for you.
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It’s up to you. Anyone can suggest hospice services. You may want to have these conversations with your doctor, other healthcare professionals, members of the clergy, family, and friends. Most people who enter hospice wish they had started it sooner. Feel free to reach out to us at Lifespark Hospice to begin the conversation.
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Visits are based on your needs and the needs of your family. They will be described in your personalized care plan. The number and types of visits may change over time.
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Hospice care doesn’t replace your relationship with your doctor. In fact, your hospice care team works directly with your doctor.
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Yes. Your hospice care team will review your current medications and, as part of your individualized hospice plan, identify the best medications for your goals and situation. Medications for your hospice condition are covered under your hospice insurance benefit.
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Yes. You may choose to leave hospice at any time and return to traditional services. You may also be discharged from hospice if your condition improves and your life expectancy changes to extend past six months. However, if your condition later deteriorates, you may enter hospice care once again.
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You or your family may decide to request additional home health aide/nursing hours of care (outside of the visits referenced in your hospice care plan). Your hospice care team can help connect you with the resources you need. This type of service is private-pay and directly billed to you or your family.
If interested, Lifespark Community Home Care services are available to help you understand your options, set up a schedule for support, and get you started.
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Most likely, you will not have to pay anything for your hospice care. Hospice costs are covered by Medicare, Medicaid (in most states), the Veteran’s Health Administration, and most insurance policies.
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If you qualify for hospice care, your insurance may most likely cover it.
Who will pay for hospice care?
- Most insurance policies
- Medicare
- Medicaid (in most states)
- The Veteran’s Health Administration
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Palliative care is whole-person care that relieves symptoms of an illness, whether or not a cure is possible. Hospice is a specific kind of palliative care for people who may have no more than six months to live.
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No. For 13 months after the death of a loved one, Lifespark Hospice continues to support survivors and caregivers. We also offer bereavement groups free of charge for anyone who has lost a family member or friend, whether or not the person died while under our care.