Hospice Care FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about hospice care:
Q: What is hospice care?
A:Hospice care is a special type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice care focuses on managing symptoms and pain and helping patients and their families to be as comfortable as possible – physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Q: Who is eligible for hospice care?
A: Individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting condition with a prognosis of six months or less. One needn’t be homebound to receive hospice services.
Q: When is it time for hospice care?
A: Hospice care is typically recommended when a physician is offering a life expectancy of six months or less, depending on the course of the disease. Patients and families benefit most when their symptoms are managed earlier during their disease process rather than later. Read more here.
Q: Who pays for hospice care?
A: Most private insurance plans cover hospice care expenses related to the terminal diagnosis, as do Medicare and Medicaid.
Q. Where can I receive hospice care?
A. Wherever the patient resides, in the 35+ towns RVNAhealth serves.
Myths About Hospice Care
Hospice care is very beneficial to patients and their loved ones. But it is often misunderstood. Following are common myths about hospice care that are not true.
Myth: Hospice care quickens end of life.
Fact: Hospice neither hastens nor slows the end of life. Hospice is a means of healing and providing relief so that patients may focus on quality of life.
Myth: Hospice is solely for cancer patients.
Fact: The RVNAhealth hospice team cares for patients with cancer and many other chronic illnesses.
Myth: Hospice is only for patients nearing death.
Fact: Patients with a prognosis of six months or less may be cared for through hospice services. Patients often ‘graduate’ from hospice care.
Myth: Hospice is far too expensive for a patient and their family.
Fact: Hospice care is covered by most insurance companies and Medicare, Medicaid and other plans.
Myth: It is difficult for a patient to obtain hospice care.
Fact: RVNAhealth will guide you through the steps toward hospice care. You and your family are provided with a medical support team and access to our family of health services: skilled nursing, physical therapists, and non-medical caregivers.
MYTH: Hospice care ends when the patient passes away.
FACT: RVNAhealth offers bereavement support to family members up to 13 months after the passing of a loved one.
ComfortWELL services can be seamlessly supported by other RVNAhealth WELL service families to offer coordinated care from our qualified team of health professionals.
When my wife entered hospice care, the RVNAhealth Hospice team explained the entire process, including the medical care she would receive and the financial implications. I left that meeting confident that her transition would be seamless, and she would continue to receive the best possible medical care available.”
RVNAhealth Hospice Family
Many warm thanks for all the home care and hospice services your staff provided. We will always be grateful for the compassion and comfort care our Mom received. They made the transition to hospice seamless and gave mom the peace of mind to complete the journey. Thank you.”
RVNA Hospice Family