Commonly Asked Questions
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is compassionate, comprehensive care that focuses on improving quality of life, for anyone dealing with a serious illness, at any time regardless of diagnosis, prognosis or treatment. Palliative Care aims to reduce or eliminate pain and other physical symptoms, and assist both the patient and family with emotional and spiritual needs.
What is the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care?
Palliative Care may begin at the time of a diagnosis and continues throughout the course of a serious illness. Palliative Care may be as simple as providing resources at the onset of a diagnosis, and as comprehensive as traditional Hospice Care.
Does Hospice & Palliative CareCenter provide services only to persons who have a short time to live?
NO. In fact, while Hospice & Palliative CareCenter continues to provide expert end-of-life care, programs and services have been designed to meet the needs of people dealing with the news of, and/or issues related to, any serious illness, regardless of diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.
Does Hospice & Palliative CareCenter only serve patients who have cancer?
NO. Hospice & Palliative CareCenter also provides care for patients with Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), AIDS, chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure, and many other illnesses.
Does Hospice & Palliative CareCenter serve only adults?
NO. The programs and services of Hospice & Palliative CareCenter are designed to meet the needs of anyone dealing with a serious condition, regardless of diagnosis, prognosis or treatment. Children and their families can take advantage of a specialized program, Carousel Center, which was created to meet their individual needs. A team of professionals, specially trained in the care of children, provides a broad range of both clinical and supportive services.
Should I wait for my physician to discuss Palliative Home Health Care or Hospice Care?
Absolutely not. As a consumer, you’re encouraged to explore all of your healthcare choices. Hospice staff will coordinate services with your physician, when necessary, as he/she directs your care. Medical care is provided under the direction of your personal physician, or by the Hospice Medical Director when appropriate.
How are programs and services of Hospice & Palliative CareCenter paid for/funded?
Services are provided to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Generally, services are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and by most private insurance. We do rely on financial support from memorials, donations, church funding, special events, and the United Way to supplement specialized programs.
Is care provided only in the homes of patients?
NO. Although most Hospice & Palliative CareCenter patients receive care in their homes, services are available to residents of nursing homes, assisted living homes, group and rest homes, and at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home when appropriate.
What programs are available to members of the community dealing with grief and loss issues?
As always, counseling and bereavement services are available to patients and families cared for by the Hospice & Palliative CareCenter. Additionally, to meet the needs of our community, we have programs to serve anyone facing death-related loss issues. Individual counseling, group sessions and community workshops designed for both adults and children are available throughout the year under the guidance of professional counselors.
What is the benefit of accessing care from the Hospice & Palliative CareCenter?
There are many benefits. The most significant benefit is that the patient and family receive support and care from a specially trained team of clinical staff and volunteers. Care meets not only medical needs but also enhances emotional, spiritual and social well-being when dignity, comfort and peace-of-mind matter most. Finally, Hospice Care - covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers - can ease the financial burdens of those facing serious illnesss.
