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Frequently Asked
Questions
Questions
What exactly is hospice?
Hospice is philosophy of care. The philosophy of hospice is to help people with terminal illnesses
have the best quality of life they can have without the trauma of aggressive treatment.
We believe that dying is a normal and natural part of living. Hospice views the whole family, the
patient and his/her family, as a unit of care. The patient receives the services of a Registered Nurse
as well as home health aide services, social services, chaplain services, and a variety of
complementary services such as Pet Therapy and Healing Touch. Hospice services focus on comfort,
pain management, and the quality of life. These services are delivered at the patient’s home -
wherever the patient calls home (i.e. a private house, assisted living, nursing facility, etc…). Hospice
may be the best medical experience you ever have and is ideal for people who no longer wish to go
to the hospital and undergo endless testing and aggressive treatments.
When is someone eligible for hospice services?
A patient is eligible for hospice when they have months left to live. Two physicians (the patient’s
medical doctor and our medical director) certify that they believe the patient has 6 months or less
left to live if the disease follows its normal progression. A popular misconception is that someone
can benefit from hospice when they have days or hours left to live; this is not correct. Hospice needs
time to develop caring relationships with the patient and the family so we can prepare and support
all of you in the end-of-life process and keep all of you as comfortable as possible.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice or should I
raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician,
other health care professional, clergy, or friends.
Is all hospice care the same?
No. Many communities have more than one hospice. Medicare requires hospices to provide a basic
level of care but the quantity and quality of services can vary significantly from one hospice to
another. To find the best hospice for your needs, ask your doctor, health care professional, clergy,
social workers, or friends who have received care for a family member. You may want to call or
meet with the hospices and ask questions about their services.
Is hospice only for cancer patients?
No, hospice care is also available to people with heart, kidney, or lung disease, Alzheimer's, AIDS,
adult failure to thrive, debility, and many other life-limiting illnesses.
How is hospice paid for?
Both Medicare and Medicaid have a comprehensive hospice benefit that covers the full cost of
standard hospice services including medications and supplies related to the individual's hospice
diagnosis. Most hospice patients and their families don’t pay a dime for hospice services. Most
private insurance plans also provide a hospice benefit. Our staff will work closely with your
insurance provider to coordinate benefits.
Is caring for the patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
No. Hospice patients receive care in their personal residences, nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, hospital hospice units, and inpatient hospice centers.
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at
home?
There's no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is prepare an individualized
care plan that will, among other things, address the amount of care giving needed by the patient.
Hospice staff visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions. Hospice staff will
help you determine if additional care givers are necessary.
What is NOT covered by hospice?
Hospice does NOT cover room and board in a nursing home or assisted living facility except under
very limited circumstances. In addition, medications for illnesses not associated with the hospice
diagnosis are not covered and will continue to be paid for as they were before the patient elected
hospice benefits.
How long can someone be on hospice?
There is no limit to how long a patient can be on hospice, as long as their condition continues to
decline. If a patient stabilizes, and they sometimes do, they will be transferred back to regular
Medicare coverage until they begin to decline again, at which time they can receive hospice services
again.
Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular
medical treatment?
Certainly. If the patient's condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can
be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on about their daily life. If the
discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance
will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
What if the patient no longer wants to be on hospice?
The patient or their health care power-of-attorney can revoke hospice services at any time by simply
signing a revocation form. The patient immediately reverts back to regular Medicare coverage. It
really is that easy.
How is Willow Tree Hospice different from other hospices?
Willow Tree Hospice was founded and is run by a family of nurses. We work diligently to make
your loved one’s end-of-life experience as good as it can be. We can do this because we are a small
“boutique” hospice so we can pay a lot of attention to each patient and family. A Registered Nurse
will visit the patient, usually twice a week, to coordinate care with your personal physician to
manage and treat any symptoms. A home health aide will help with personal care of the patient up
to five times a week, usually for an hour or two a day. A chaplain and social worker will also offer
the patient and the family spiritual and emotional support. In addition, we have a cadre of
volunteers who provide visits for companionship and Pet Therapy. We can also provide Healing
Touch to the patient and family if they choose. Healing Touch is a type of energy therapy that helps
the recipient relax deeply as it lowers pain, stress and anxiety.
How do I find out if my loved one is eligible for hospice services?
Simply call Willow Tree Hospice at 610-869-2201 and we will help evaluate your situation and,
along with our Medical Director, decide if hospice is appropriate.
What if my loved one is on hospice service with another provider? Can we
switch to Willow Tree Hospice?
Yes, you are allowed to transfer to Willow Tree Hospice if you are not satisfied with your current
provider. Call us at 610-869-2201 and we can help you make the transition.
Hospice is philosophy of care. The philosophy of hospice is to help people with terminal illnesses
have the best quality of life they can have without the trauma of aggressive treatment.
We believe that dying is a normal and natural part of living. Hospice views the whole family, the
patient and his/her family, as a unit of care. The patient receives the services of a Registered Nurse
as well as home health aide services, social services, chaplain services, and a variety of
complementary services such as Pet Therapy and Healing Touch. Hospice services focus on comfort,
pain management, and the quality of life. These services are delivered at the patient’s home -
wherever the patient calls home (i.e. a private house, assisted living, nursing facility, etc…). Hospice
may be the best medical experience you ever have and is ideal for people who no longer wish to go
to the hospital and undergo endless testing and aggressive treatments.
When is someone eligible for hospice services?
A patient is eligible for hospice when they have months left to live. Two physicians (the patient’s
medical doctor and our medical director) certify that they believe the patient has 6 months or less
left to live if the disease follows its normal progression. A popular misconception is that someone
can benefit from hospice when they have days or hours left to live; this is not correct. Hospice needs
time to develop caring relationships with the patient and the family so we can prepare and support
all of you in the end-of-life process and keep all of you as comfortable as possible.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice or should I
raise it first?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician,
other health care professional, clergy, or friends.
Is all hospice care the same?
No. Many communities have more than one hospice. Medicare requires hospices to provide a basic
level of care but the quantity and quality of services can vary significantly from one hospice to
another. To find the best hospice for your needs, ask your doctor, health care professional, clergy,
social workers, or friends who have received care for a family member. You may want to call or
meet with the hospices and ask questions about their services.
Is hospice only for cancer patients?
No, hospice care is also available to people with heart, kidney, or lung disease, Alzheimer's, AIDS,
adult failure to thrive, debility, and many other life-limiting illnesses.
How is hospice paid for?
Both Medicare and Medicaid have a comprehensive hospice benefit that covers the full cost of
standard hospice services including medications and supplies related to the individual's hospice
diagnosis. Most hospice patients and their families don’t pay a dime for hospice services. Most
private insurance plans also provide a hospice benefit. Our staff will work closely with your
insurance provider to coordinate benefits.
Is caring for the patient at home the only place hospice care can be delivered?
No. Hospice patients receive care in their personal residences, nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, hospital hospice units, and inpatient hospice centers.
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at
home?
There's no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is prepare an individualized
care plan that will, among other things, address the amount of care giving needed by the patient.
Hospice staff visit regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions. Hospice staff will
help you determine if additional care givers are necessary.
What is NOT covered by hospice?
Hospice does NOT cover room and board in a nursing home or assisted living facility except under
very limited circumstances. In addition, medications for illnesses not associated with the hospice
diagnosis are not covered and will continue to be paid for as they were before the patient elected
hospice benefits.
How long can someone be on hospice?
There is no limit to how long a patient can be on hospice, as long as their condition continues to
decline. If a patient stabilizes, and they sometimes do, they will be transferred back to regular
Medicare coverage until they begin to decline again, at which time they can receive hospice services
again.
Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular
medical treatment?
Certainly. If the patient's condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can
be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on about their daily life. If the
discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance
will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
What if the patient no longer wants to be on hospice?
The patient or their health care power-of-attorney can revoke hospice services at any time by simply
signing a revocation form. The patient immediately reverts back to regular Medicare coverage. It
really is that easy.
How is Willow Tree Hospice different from other hospices?
Willow Tree Hospice was founded and is run by a family of nurses. We work diligently to make
your loved one’s end-of-life experience as good as it can be. We can do this because we are a small
“boutique” hospice so we can pay a lot of attention to each patient and family. A Registered Nurse
will visit the patient, usually twice a week, to coordinate care with your personal physician to
manage and treat any symptoms. A home health aide will help with personal care of the patient up
to five times a week, usually for an hour or two a day. A chaplain and social worker will also offer
the patient and the family spiritual and emotional support. In addition, we have a cadre of
volunteers who provide visits for companionship and Pet Therapy. We can also provide Healing
Touch to the patient and family if they choose. Healing Touch is a type of energy therapy that helps
the recipient relax deeply as it lowers pain, stress and anxiety.
How do I find out if my loved one is eligible for hospice services?
Simply call Willow Tree Hospice at 610-869-2201 and we will help evaluate your situation and,
along with our Medical Director, decide if hospice is appropriate.
What if my loved one is on hospice service with another provider? Can we
switch to Willow Tree Hospice?
Yes, you are allowed to transfer to Willow Tree Hospice if you are not satisfied with your current
provider. Call us at 610-869-2201 and we can help you make the transition.
| Willow Tree Hospice 100 Sycamore Drive West Grove PA 19390 610-869-2201 866-WTREE77 (Toll Free) info@willowtreehospice.com Copyright © 2006-2010 Willow Tree Hospice. All rights reserved. |
