How Do You Get Hospice Care?

A devastating diagnosis of late-stage cancer or another life-threatening illness.

Concern for someone you love.

A sense of being overwhelmed and shaken to your very core.

All of these are situations where you should learn more about the benefits of hospice care.

You may be considering hospice care for yourself or someone you love. No doubt there are thousands of questions racing through your mind about hospice care.

What is hospice? Who is it for? How do you get the care you need?

You may be struggling with other questions, like: What qualifications do you or your loved one have to meet? Who can make a referral to hospice care?

Our goal is to give you the answers and insights you need. To lower stress. And hopefully help you make good decisions.

We tackle these common questions below. And we provide a basic, step-by-step guide you can follow to get the care you need.

Step 1: Evaluate the Diagnosis

Hospice care is not limited to cancer patients, yet cancer patients do comprise a majority of those served by hospice.

Hospice organizations also serve patients who have other serious illnesses such as ALS, kidney failure, heart disease and lung disease.

Remember that hospice care is only appropriate if there is a life expectancy of six months or less, and hospice only begins when all curative treatment ends. This means there is no more effort made to cure the patient.

If you have more than six months to live or if you’re just starting to seek treatment for a serious disease you will not qualify for hospice care. However, you may still benefit from palliative care.

Step 2: Evaluate the Situation

Are you unsure if you or your loved one needs a referral to hospice? Look for the following signs:

• Diagnosis of a serious, life-limiting illness
• Difficulty getting dressed
• Problems walking
• Repeated ER admissions
• Unintended, progressive weight loss
• Increased falls
• Additional hospital admissions
• Frequent skin tears and infections
• Problems with mental abilities

If any of these situations are present, it’s time to consider the benefits of hospice care.

Step 3: Discuss Hospice with Your Doctor

Your doctor and other health care workers are important members of your team, and it’s important to have clear, concise communication.

Ask questions. Take notes. Don’t be afraid to ask for more details about the illness.

In many cases, your doctor may have information about hospices in your area.

We can also help you get connected to a hospice near you.

If you have been diagnosed with a serious illness and have been given six months or less to live, then you should contact hospice.

Step: 4 Get a Referral For Hospice

After you have discussed your wishes with your doctor, the next step is to get a referral to a local hospice.

It’s as simple as making a phone call.

Is a Doctor’s Referral Needed for Hospice?

Actually, anyone can make a referral to hospice. This includes:

• Family members
• Physicians
• Neighbors
• Friends

You may be surprised to learn that patients can even refer themselves to hospice!

When Should I Call Hospice?

If you have been diagnosed with a serious illness and have been given six months or less to live, then you should contact hospice.

It’s recommended that you contact hospice sooner rather than later.

Many hospice patients say they wish they had called hospice earlier. Hospice greatly enhances the quality of life and allows patients to spend more time with those they love.

As soon as you receive that diagnosis, speak with your doctor about hospice care. Don’t wait.

Does Hospice Provide 24-Hour Care?

Hospice nurses are typically available by phone 24/ 7.

There are several other members of the hospice team, and they will also visit the patient regularly.

If the hospice patient is in a nursing facility, they may have access to around-the-clock care.

Details will vary depending upon the setting and your needs.

Do I Give Up Control Under Hospice?

The goal of the hospice care team is to work with your family and caregivers to provide the best possible plan.

The hospice team is there to work together, not against, patients and families.

Patients and families play an active role in their health care.

What Choice Do I Have for Hospice Care?

There are thousands of hospices located across the United States. This means you’ll have several choices in hospice care.

You’ll first need to see which ones offer services in your area. Then, you’ll need to decide if you prefer the services of a for-profit or nonprofit hospice.

Remember that all hospices must meet certain federal regulations. In addition to these, many also have other accreditations from organizations such as the Joint Commission or the Community Health Accreditation Program.

However, it’s important to remember that just because a hospice doesn’t have all these accreditations, that doesn’t mean that it offers poor care.

You may also ask friends and family members who have dealt with hospice care. Your hospital discharge planner and a family physician may be other useful services.

Nonprofit or For-Profit Hospice?

You also need to decide if you’d like to select a for-profit hospice or a nonprofit hospice. There are several differences between the two.

The main one is that nonprofit hospices offer services regardless of ability to pay. Nonprofit hospices are able to solicit charitable donations in order to help them support that mission.

If you find a hospice service that interests you, feel free to conduct interviews and ask questions related to availability, pain control, spiritual support, expenses and what will be covered by Medicare or insurance.

Get the Answers You Need From Hospice Wise

If you have questions, you’ve come to the right place for answers.

Take a few minutes to learn more about hospice, and make sure you don’t fall for the common misconceptions about hospice.