Some Question and Answers About Hospice Care
Who provides Hospice?
In hospice, an interdisciplinary team of professionals focuses on maximizing
the quality of each patient's life. Team members include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Certified nursing assistants
- Home health aides
- Social workers
- Bereavement counselors
- Chaplains
- Volunteers
In addition to being experts in symptom management, the hospice team advocates
for whatever is necessary and possible to meet each patient's unique, end-of-
life needs and wishes.
When is Hospice appropriate?
People with a terminal illness - as a result of cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's
disease, or end-stage lung or heart disease, or other conditions choose hospice when
curative treatment is no longer effective or desirable, and does not add to
the patient's quality of life.
Choosing hospice does not mean giving up. It means choosing comfort and
quality of life. The Hospice benefit is greatest when care is received
prior to the final days or weeks of life. Patients and families benefit
most when hospice support is provided over months, not just weeks.
Where is Hospice provided?
In most cases, hospice care is provided in the home, so patients can live in a
familiar setting surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice care may also be
provided in other settings such as long-term care facilities. Our hospice
inpatient unit is an excellent setting for patients who require acute symptom
management, respite care, or for other reasons choose not to die at home.
Who pays for Hospice?
Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance companies provide hospice
benefits. Columbus Hospice provides care regardless of a person's ability to
pay. Our patients never see a bill or our routine hospice services.
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