Frequently Asked Questions About Family Hospice

Can I stay with my family physician while on hospice?

Many patients feel more comfortable when entering hospice services knowing their family physician is involved in their care. Since your family physician already knows your medical and personal history, the professionals at Family Hospice encourage and welcome your family physician to be involved during this transition in life. It also reduces the patient's anxiety while entering a new, unfamiliar phase of their disease process with the support of their family physician.

How can I get my loved one on hospice services?

A referral can be given by Physicians, Hospital discharge planners, Nursing facility staff, Home health care staff, Family, and/or Friends.

Upon referral, the Family Hospice Medical Director will contact the referral’s physician to determine hospice appropriateness. A Family Hospice staff member will place a courtesy call to the referral and family to set up an appointment to discuss hospice services. If the referral meets hospice criteria and is agreeable to starting hospice services, services can begin as quickly as the referral and family desires.

Most referred clients are visited by a Family Hospice representative on the same day or shortly after their referral is received.

When I am on hospice and show signs of recovery, can I return to active medical treatment?

Definitely! If your condition improves or the disease seems to be in remission, you can be discharged from the services at Family Hospice and receive active therapy or return to your activities of daily living.

By accepting hospice care, am I giving up?

By accepting the services of Family Hospice and Palliative Care, it does not mean that you are giving up, but it recognizes an individual’s wish to remain as comfortable as possible during life’s final journey. Family Hospice and Palliative Care enhances the quality of life with dignity, hope, and comfort while providing support to you and your family. Our goal is to ensure your wishes are being honored.

Hospice care just heavily medicates individuals so that they do not experience the final stage of life.

This statement is false. The professionals at Family Hospice and Palliative Care are experts in pain and symptom management. It is our goal to find the right balance for each individual so that we may ensure that the optimal level of care is being provided emotionally, spiritually and medically. We want our patients and their families to experience the gift of life to the fullest each day.

Does hospice care quicken death?

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), research indicates that patients who receive hospice care actually live on average 29 days longer than patients not receiving hospice services. Researchers cited several factors that may have contributed to longer life among patients who chose Hospice.

• Patients who are already in a weakened condition avoid the risks of over-treatment when they make the decision to receive Hospice care.
• Hospice care may improve the monitoring and treatment patients receive.
• Hospice provides in-home care from an interdisciplinary team focused on the emotional needs, spiritual well-being, and physical health of the patient. Support and training for family caregivers is provided as well. This may increase the patient’s desire to continue living and may make them feel less of a burden to family members.

Who pays for Hospice?

Family Hospice's Mission is supported by the community through the following:

• Memorials
• Estate Bequeaths
• Contributions
• Annual Fundraising
• United Way
• Equipment Donations