The decision to receive hospice services should be made when a patient with a life-limiting illness is no longer seeking curative treatments and focuses instead on comfort and quality of life. The decision to begin hospice care is a collaborative process that should involve the patient, family members, physician and hospice team.

The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends.

Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician would like more information about our services, please have him or her call us at 800-635-7490.

Certainly. If the patient’s condition improves and the disease seems to be stable, the patient can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on with daily life.

If a discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance will allow additional coverage for this purpose.

The hospice admission process involves several steps to ensure that the patient and their family receive the appropriate care and support. The process typically begins with a referral, which can be made by he patient’s physician, a hospital, a family member, or the patient themselves. This referral signals that the patient may benefit from hospice care.

Your hospice nurse will assess your needs, recommend any necessary equipment and help make arrangements to obtain it. We have contracts with local medical equipment companies who will deliver equipment to your home.

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 that someone be there continuously.

While family and friends must be relied on to give most of the care, United Hospice Service has volunteers to provide up to a  4 hour break and time away for primary caregivers.

It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nighttime can especially very long, lonely and scary. The staff at United Hospice Service is available around the clock to consult with the family and to make visits as needed.

Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, a nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, a dietitian, therapists and volunteers. Each provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In addition, United Hospice Service provides medications related to the terminal illness, medical supplies and equipment, hospital services, respite care, and additional helpers in the home, as appropriate.

No. United Hospice Service does nothing either to speed up or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of birth, so United Hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.

No. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients live in extended care facilities (nursing homes), adult foster care homes, assisted living centers or hospice residences. Patients can also receive hospice services in their local community hospital for respite care (5 days a month) or for symptom management as needed.

Effective pain management is a cornerstone of hospice care, aiming to improve the patient’s comfort and quality of life. By using a combination of medication, non-pharmacological interventions, and comprehensive support, hospice ensures that patients receive compassionate and effective pain relief tailored to the individual needs.

Very high. With a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, almost all patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them. IV pain medication is usually not required.

Usually not. It is the goal of United Hospice Service to help patients be as comfortable and alert as they desire. By continually consulting with the patient, United Hospice Service is very successful in reaching this goal. Patients can take their usual medication that is ordered by their physician, who can remain active in the patient’s care.

Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid in 42 states and by most private health insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should of course check with their employer or health insurance provider.

United Hospice Service provides grief and bereavement support for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one. This is offered through a variety of services such as support and counseling service, monthly mailings, grief support groups, and social support groups. Our bereavement services are for any person who has suffered a loss through death and offered to anyone who can benefit. (Hospice enrollment is not necessary.) United Hospice Service bereavement program is an extension of the total care provided to hospice families and the community.