HospiceCare, Inc.
Park Hills, Missouri
Serving St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, Perry, Iron, Madison
and parts of Jefferson and Reynolds counties in Missouri
Park Hills, Missouri
Serving St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, Perry, Iron, Madison
and parts of Jefferson and Reynolds counties in Missouri
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should a decision about entering a hospice program
be made and who should make it?
A: At any time during a life-limiting illness, it's appropriate
to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice.
By law, the decision belongs to the patient.
Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the
idea of stopping an all-out effort to "beat" the disease.
HospiceCare staff members are highly sensitive to these
concerns and are always available to discuss them with the
patient and family.
Q: Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility
of hospice, or should I raise it first?
A: The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice
care at any time with their physician, clergy, friends, or other
healthcare professionals.
Q: What if our physician doesn't know about hospice?
A: Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician
wants more information about hospice, we will be happy to
meet with them and provide educational materials.
Q: Can a HospiceCare patient who shows signs of recovery
be returned to regular medical treatment?
A: Certainly. If the patient's condition improves and the
disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged
from HospiceCare and return to aggressive therapy or go on
about their daily life.
If a discharged patient should later need to return to our
program, Medicare and most private insurance will allow
additional coverage for this purpose.
A discharged hospice patient may want to be placed on our
Community Outreach Program, a program designed to help
senior and chronically-ill citizens, who with timely assistance,
can maintain independent living. There is no cost for this
program.
Q: What does the hospice admission process involve?
A: One of the first things HospiceCare will do is contact the
patient's physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice
care is appropriate for the patient at this time. (HospiceCare
has a Medical Director who is available to help patients who
have no physician).
During the admission process, the services and benefits of
hospice are explained in great detail, beginning with the
Informed Consent form. The Informed Consent form allows
hospice services to be provided and also allows patients to
decide on Advance Directives. The form also covers
subjects such as medications, equipment and supplies;
inpatient and respite care; financial responsibility; patient
rights and responsibilities; and clinical records.
Other issues that are discussed upon admission are
HospiceCare's privacy practices, primary caregiver duties/
responsibilities, and information no Medicare/Medicaid issues.
Q: Is there any special equipment or changes I have to
make in my home before hospice care begins?
A: HospiceCare staff will assess your needs, recommend
any equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain any
necessary equipment. Often, the need for equipment is
minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses.
In general, HospiceCare will assist in any way it can to make
home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible.
Q: How many family members or friends does it take to care
for a patient at home?
A: There's no set number. One of the first things the
HospiceCare team will do is to prepare an individualized
care plan that will, among other things, address the amount
of caregiving needed in your situation. HospiceCare staff
visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical
questions and provide support.
Q: Must someone be with the patient at all times?
A: In the early weeks of care, it's usually not necessary for
someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however,
since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of
dying alone, hospice generally recommends someone be there
continuously.
While family and friends must be relied on to give most of
the care, HospiceCare does provide volunteers to assist with
errands and to provide a break and time away for major
caregivers.
Q: How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
A: It's never easy and sometimes can be quite challenging.
At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially
can be very long, lonely and scary. So, HospiceCare has
staff available around the clock to consult with the family
and make night visits if the need arises.
Q: What specific assistance does HospiceCare provide
home-bound patients?
A: HospiceCare patients are cared for by a team of doctors,
nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers - and each
provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In
addition, HospiceCare helps provide medications, supplies,
equipment, hospital services, and additional helpers in the
home if and when needed.
Q: Does HospiceCare do anything to make death come
sooner?
A: HospiceCare does nothing either to speed up or slow
down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives
lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth,
so HospiceCare provides its presence and specialized
knowledge during the dying process.
Q: Is caring for a patient at home the only place hospice
services can be delivered?
A: No. HospiceCare services can be provided no matter
where the patient lives.
Q: How does HospiceCare "manage pain"?
A: HospiceCare believes that emotional and spiritual pain
are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so
it addresses each. HospiceCare nurses and doctors are up-
to-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and
symptom relief. Also, medical, social workers and clergy
are available - to assist family members as well as assist
patients.
Q: What is HospiceCare's success rate in battling pain?
A: Very high. Using some combination of medications,
counseling and therapies, most patients can be kept pain-
free and comfortable.
Q: Will medications prevent the patient from being able to
talk or know what's happening?
A: Usually not. It is the goal of HospiceCare to allow the
patient to be pain-free but alert. By constantly consulting
with the patient, HospiceCare has been very successful in
reaching this goal.
Q: Is hospice affiliated with any religious organizations?
A: Hospice itself is not an off-shoot of any religion. While
some churches and religions have started hospices (some-
times in connection with their hospitals), these hospices serve
a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to
any particular set of beliefs.
HospiceCare, Inc. is, however, a spiritually-based organi-
zation. This means it was founded upon the belief that we
have a commitment to our community to serve all people
who need our services, regardless of their financial situation -
and that faith will provide financial support through donations.
Q: If the patient is eligible for Medicare/Medicaid/insurance,
will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
A: Medicare/Medicaid/private insurance covers all services
and supplies for the patients of HospiceCare.
Q: If the patient is not covered by Medicare/Medicaid or any
other health insurance, will HospiceCare still provide care?
A: Yes.
Q: Does HospiceCare provide any help to the family after
the patient dies?
A: HospiceCare provides continuing contact and support
for family and friends for at least a year following the death
of a loved one. HospiceCare also sponsors bereavement
groups and support for anyone in the community who has
experienced a death of a family member, a close friend,
and the like.
Q: When should a decision about entering a hospice program
be made and who should make it?
A: At any time during a life-limiting illness, it's appropriate
to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice.
By law, the decision belongs to the patient.
Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the
idea of stopping an all-out effort to "beat" the disease.
HospiceCare staff members are highly sensitive to these
concerns and are always available to discuss them with the
patient and family.
Q: Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility
of hospice, or should I raise it first?
A: The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice
care at any time with their physician, clergy, friends, or other
healthcare professionals.
Q: What if our physician doesn't know about hospice?
A: Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician
wants more information about hospice, we will be happy to
meet with them and provide educational materials.
Q: Can a HospiceCare patient who shows signs of recovery
be returned to regular medical treatment?
A: Certainly. If the patient's condition improves and the
disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged
from HospiceCare and return to aggressive therapy or go on
about their daily life.
If a discharged patient should later need to return to our
program, Medicare and most private insurance will allow
additional coverage for this purpose.
A discharged hospice patient may want to be placed on our
Community Outreach Program, a program designed to help
senior and chronically-ill citizens, who with timely assistance,
can maintain independent living. There is no cost for this
program.
Q: What does the hospice admission process involve?
A: One of the first things HospiceCare will do is contact the
patient's physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice
care is appropriate for the patient at this time. (HospiceCare
has a Medical Director who is available to help patients who
have no physician).
During the admission process, the services and benefits of
hospice are explained in great detail, beginning with the
Informed Consent form. The Informed Consent form allows
hospice services to be provided and also allows patients to
decide on Advance Directives. The form also covers
subjects such as medications, equipment and supplies;
inpatient and respite care; financial responsibility; patient
rights and responsibilities; and clinical records.
Other issues that are discussed upon admission are
HospiceCare's privacy practices, primary caregiver duties/
responsibilities, and information no Medicare/Medicaid issues.
Q: Is there any special equipment or changes I have to
make in my home before hospice care begins?
A: HospiceCare staff will assess your needs, recommend
any equipment, and help make arrangements to obtain any
necessary equipment. Often, the need for equipment is
minimal at first and increases as the disease progresses.
In general, HospiceCare will assist in any way it can to make
home care as convenient, clean and safe as possible.
Q: How many family members or friends does it take to care
for a patient at home?
A: There's no set number. One of the first things the
HospiceCare team will do is to prepare an individualized
care plan that will, among other things, address the amount
of caregiving needed in your situation. HospiceCare staff
visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical
questions and provide support.
Q: Must someone be with the patient at all times?
A: In the early weeks of care, it's usually not necessary for
someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however,
since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of
dying alone, hospice generally recommends someone be there
continuously.
While family and friends must be relied on to give most of
the care, HospiceCare does provide volunteers to assist with
errands and to provide a break and time away for major
caregivers.
Q: How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
A: It's never easy and sometimes can be quite challenging.
At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially
can be very long, lonely and scary. So, HospiceCare has
staff available around the clock to consult with the family
and make night visits if the need arises.
Q: What specific assistance does HospiceCare provide
home-bound patients?
A: HospiceCare patients are cared for by a team of doctors,
nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers - and each
provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In
addition, HospiceCare helps provide medications, supplies,
equipment, hospital services, and additional helpers in the
home if and when needed.
Q: Does HospiceCare do anything to make death come
sooner?
A: HospiceCare does nothing either to speed up or slow
down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives
lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth,
so HospiceCare provides its presence and specialized
knowledge during the dying process.
Q: Is caring for a patient at home the only place hospice
services can be delivered?
A: No. HospiceCare services can be provided no matter
where the patient lives.
Q: How does HospiceCare "manage pain"?
A: HospiceCare believes that emotional and spiritual pain
are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so
it addresses each. HospiceCare nurses and doctors are up-
to-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and
symptom relief. Also, medical, social workers and clergy
are available - to assist family members as well as assist
patients.
Q: What is HospiceCare's success rate in battling pain?
A: Very high. Using some combination of medications,
counseling and therapies, most patients can be kept pain-
free and comfortable.
Q: Will medications prevent the patient from being able to
talk or know what's happening?
A: Usually not. It is the goal of HospiceCare to allow the
patient to be pain-free but alert. By constantly consulting
with the patient, HospiceCare has been very successful in
reaching this goal.
Q: Is hospice affiliated with any religious organizations?
A: Hospice itself is not an off-shoot of any religion. While
some churches and religions have started hospices (some-
times in connection with their hospitals), these hospices serve
a broad community and do not require patients to adhere to
any particular set of beliefs.
HospiceCare, Inc. is, however, a spiritually-based organi-
zation. This means it was founded upon the belief that we
have a commitment to our community to serve all people
who need our services, regardless of their financial situation -
and that faith will provide financial support through donations.
Q: If the patient is eligible for Medicare/Medicaid/insurance,
will there be any additional expenses to be paid?
A: Medicare/Medicaid/private insurance covers all services
and supplies for the patients of HospiceCare.
Q: If the patient is not covered by Medicare/Medicaid or any
other health insurance, will HospiceCare still provide care?
A: Yes.
Q: Does HospiceCare provide any help to the family after
the patient dies?
A: HospiceCare provides continuing contact and support
for family and friends for at least a year following the death
of a loved one. HospiceCare also sponsors bereavement
groups and support for anyone in the community who has
experienced a death of a family member, a close friend,
and the like.