Frequently Asked Questions
 Is It Time for Hospice?
Does Hospice Mean Giving Up Hope?
How Does Hospice Care Work?
Who is Eligible for Hospice?
Who Can Make a Referral?
How Do I Pay for Hospice Care?
How Does Hospice Care Begin?
Is Hospice Just for Cancer Patients?
Must Patients be Homebound to Receive Hospice Care?
Can I Still See My Doctor or Go to the Hospital?
Is Hospice Affiliated with any Religious Organization?
Are All Hospice Programs the Same?
What Are the Qualifications of Hospice Staff?
How Long is Hospice Care Usually Needed?
Is It Time for Hospice?
Families often tell us they wish they had considered hospice care sooner. It is a very common misconception that hospice care is only needed for the last few days of life when in fact, hospice is most helpful when services are started early on and trusting relationships can be formed between families and the hospice team. Hospice of Stanly County is there for you when life expectancy is measured in months rather than years and when treatment for cure no longer seems appropriate.
The decision to choose hospice is a very personal one. Though it is the individual’s choice, it directly involves the patient, their physician, family and loved ones who may serve as caregivers. It is important that patients and families do not wait too long. Although end of life care may be difficult to discuss, not is the best time to learn more about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. It is best for family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice care arrives. By having these discussions in advance, patients aren’t forced into uncomfortable situations and they can make an educated decision that includes the advice and input of loved ones.
Your physician should serve as your guide. However, physicians are sometimes hesitant to recommend hospice care because they feel their patients may not be ready to consider hospice and suggesting hospice may be viewed as dashing your hopes. They assume you will want to continue aggressive treatments or it may be difficult for them to determine life expectancy.
Remember you can recommend hospice care to your physician. Many physicians welcome having the opportunity to discuss hospice care with their patients. If you are considering hospice but are unsure if now is the time, here are some signs you can look for to help determine if it may be time to explore your hospice option.
• Does it seem that treatment is no longer working?
• Are you making frequent visits to the ER or hospital?
• Are symptoms worsening such as increased shortness of breath, fatigue, pain or nausea?
• Does the patient seem more withdrawn? Sleeping more?
• Does the patient struggle with activities of daily living such as walking, eating, toileting, or dressing?
• Are caregivers feeling overwhelmed?
• Are caregivers becoming isolated due to patient care?
• Do family members need emotional support to help cope with the patient’s declining status?
• Are you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted?
• Would it help to have someone to talk to?
If hospice seems like an option, Hospice of Stanly County will be glad to schedule a free in-home evaluation to help determine if it is time for hospice care. Call us at 704-983-4216 or 800-230-4236 to ask questions or schedule a visit.
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Does Hospice Mean Giving Up Hope?
It does not. The goal of hospice is to enable patients to live as alert and pain-free as possible. Symptoms are controlled enabling patients to live each day to the fullest sharing time with loved ones with dignity.
Even though curative treatments may no longer be effective, there are, from time to time, patients who do well enough to be discharged from the hospice program. For most patients, however, the real hope of hospice is the possibility of living each moment with comfort, dignity and the knowledge that people really care.
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How Does Hospice Care Work?
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice team make regular visits to assess the patient needs and provide supportive care services. A hospice nurse is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The hospice team develops a plan of care with the patient and family that meets their individual needs for pain and symptom control. The team usually consists of:
• The patient and family/caregiver
• The patient’s personal physician
• Hospice Medical Director
• Nurses
• Home Health Aides
• Social Workers
• Clergy and Counselors
• Trained Volunteers
• Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapists, if needed
The care team will help the patient and family coordinate delivery of home medical equipment, medications and treatments necessary to provide high-quality comfort care enabling patients to remain at home with their loved ones living life to the fullest each day.
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Who is Eligible for Hospice?
Hospice care is available for patients who are facing a life-limiting illness and choose non-curative, or palliative treatments to help them remain comfortable wherever they call home, sharing time with loved ones, enjoying each day to the fullest. HSC accepts patients with any end-stage disease including cancer, heart or lung disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and stroke.
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Who Can Make a Referral?
Anyone can refer a patient for hospice services. The Hospice of Stanly County care team will assure that the patient’s physician agrees that hospice care is appropriate and will obtain orders for hands on patient care. Our admission team is available to speak to patients, family members or health care providers and help you determine if hospice care is appropriate. Evaluations for hospice eligibility can be made free of charge.
We can help determine insurance coverage for hospice care and explain all the varying levels of service we can provide. The referral process begins with a phone call to our office at 704-983-4216 or 800-230-4236.
Click here for our online referral form.
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How Do I Pay for Hospice Care?
Admission to Hospice of Stanly County is not based on the ability to pay.
Skilled care visits, medications, supplies and medical equipment related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis are generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances for patients who meet the individual plan’s eligibility criteria. Arrangements are made for patients without insurance and HSC will help families apply for Medicaid and other community resources.
There is no charge for volunteers, spiritual care, or bereavement services.
We can help determine insurance coverage for hospice care and explain all the varying levels of service we can provide. Simply call our billing department at 704-983-4216 or 800-230-4236 to speak with a representative regarding your individual insurance benefits.
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How Does Hospice Care Begin?
It can begin with a phone call. Our admissions team is available to speak to patients, family members or health care providers and help you determine if hospice care is appropriate. Evaluations for hospice eligibility can b e made free of charge. Simply call our office at 704-983-4216 or 800-2630-4236.
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Is Hospice Just for Cancer Patients?
No. In fact, only 48% of patients served by Hospice of Stanly County in 2009 had cancer. We serve patients with any life-limiting illness. With our help patients with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, lung disease, heart disease, or stroke can remain home; pain-free, comfortable and surrounded by loved ones as they near end of life.
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Must Patients be Homebound to Receive Hospice Care?
No. The way we see it, it’s all about living. Hospice of Stanly County encourages patients to remain as active as they wish. We want our patients to focus on enriching the days that remain. This may include visiting loved ones or making short trips, or simply enjoying the view of the great outdoors from the back porch.
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Can I Still See My Doctor or Go to the Hospital?
Yes. The patient’s physician remains very actively involved throughout the course of Hospice care. Our team provides physicians written updates on the patient’s condition every two weeks. Patients are encouraged to continue making office visits as long as they are physically able and have a desire to do so.
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Is Hospice Affiliated with any Religious Organization?
Hospice of Stanly County serves a broad community and does not promote any particular set of beliefs nor are we affiliated with any specific religious organization.
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Are All Hospice Programs the Same?
Most of the hospice organizations across the nation provide similar core services: skilled nursing care, home health aide and counseling. Many programs provide additional services that are reflective of the needs of the community and the size of the hospice program.
Hospice of Stanly County, unlike other hospice agencies, will accept patients who continue receiving palliative treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. We are a strong non-profit agency that has served Stanly and surrounding counties for nearly thirty years and we have become the preferred hospice care provider for our service area.
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What Are the Qualifications of Hospice Staff?
All team members meet appropriate degree and/or licensure standards of the state of North Carolina. Over 60% of our nurses and home health aides have passed the national board examination for certification in hospice and palliative care . In addition, team members are caring and understanding people with experienced in caring for dying people and their families.
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How Long is Hospice Care Usually Needed?
This depends on many factors. Some patients are admitted when their disease has progressed to a point where they are actively dying and care is received for only a few days. Others receive hospice care for several months prior to death. And, on occasion, there are patients who stabilize after admission and are doing well enough medically to be discharged from hospice services. Patients and families benefit most from hospice care that is started earlier rather than later in the course of managing their illness.
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