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| Home :: Our Services :: Patient |
| FAQ |
Q: Some people feel that choosing Hospice means giving up hope. Is this true?
A: No. Everyone needs hope. Remember, every day is a gift. Hospice assists the patient and family as they come to terms with their own vision of hope and its role in their lives. Coming into Hospice means that cure-oriented treatments are no longer effective. The patient’s comfort, dignity and choices come first. As they set goals for themselves, the Hospice team helps them achieve them. Choosing Hospice isn’t giving up hope - it’s getting help.
Q: When is the right time to contact Hospice?
A: When a person or their loved one faces the challenge of a serious illness, it’s time to find out about Hospice services so an informed decision can be made regarding choices for the future. Having all the appropriate information about Hospice will help the patient and their family understand the role Hospice might play if the disease continues to advance. Individuals may ask their physician about hospice care or call Niagara Hospice at (716) 439-4417.
Q: Who can make a referral for Hospice care?
A: Anyone. Referrals are made by family, friends, neighbors, staff at health care facilities, and doctors. Individuals may also call Hospice themselves to find out if they are Hospice appropriate. If a person is found to be appropriate after an initial free consultation, a physician order is requested for admission into the program.
Q: Is Hospice for specific diseases or ages?
A: No. Hospice serves persons of any age and with any illness. Some of the illnesses that Hospice patients have include heart disease, cancer, Lou Gehrig’s disease, cirrhosis, emphysema, kidney disease, AIDS, Alzheimer’s and others.
Hospice care is appropriate for anyone with:
· Advanced stage illness with a prognosis of approximately six months or less
· Reoccurrence or spread of disease
· Curative treatment that is no longer appropriate or the patient no longer wishes to pursue a curative treatment plan
Q: Where are Hospice services provided?
A: In most cases, hospice care is provided in the home of the patient or caregiver. Niagara Hospice also provides care in the hospital, in the nursing home, in assisted living facilities, at Niagara Hospice House, and to the developmentally disabled.
Q: How are Hospice services paid for?
A: Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations. No one is denied care due to ability to pay. In cases where individuals are uninsured or underinsured, hospice care remains available and is paid for through private payment based on a sliding fee scale, or through community donations and the fundraising efforts of Niagara Hospice.
Q: Does Hospice provide 24-hour care?
A: Hospice provides an on-call nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year for emergencies. The visiting Hospice nurse teaches the family and/or primary caregiver how to best care for the patient. Home health aide and LPN services are available in the home, if necessary, for the physical care of the patient. Trained Hospice volunteers are also available. Some families supplement their Hospice-provided services with their own privately paid help. In some instances, insurance may cover this.
Q: How can someone volunteer with Hospice?
A: By contacting our Volunteer Services Department, interested individuals may volunteer for one of the most rewarding experiences they will ever encounter. Upon receipt of your application, our Volunteer Services Director will contact you for an interview. Click here for more volunteer information.
For more information about Niagara Hospice and its services, please call us at (716) 439-4417.
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