F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS HOSPICE?
Good Shepherd Hospice is a unique care program designed to meet the special needs of terminally ill patients and their families. Good Shepherd Hospice is not a facility; instead we provide services wherever the patient lives – at home or in a long-term-care setting. Hospice helps patients and families cope with the physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual aspects of a terminal illness. Hospice focuses on controlling physical and emotional pain to assure each patient the greatest level of comfort and dignity possible.
When should the decision about entering a hospice be made?
At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. The earlier that hospice becomes involved, the more it can do to help make the patient’s final days, weeks, and months as comfortable and satisfying as possible.
Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice or should I raise it?
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice at any time with their physician. Most physicians know about hospice and will provide honest information about the appropriateness and benefits of the hospice option.
How is patient care paid for?
Hospice is a benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans.
Can a hospice patient decide to try aggressive treatment?
Yes. A hospice patient can revoke hospice at any time they opt to return to aggressive therapy. Hospice nurses are available 24/7 to provide assistance including assessments and communication with the hospice physician.
How does hospice assure comfort for the patient?
Hospice patients are cared for by a team of physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers. Each individual provides care based on their area of expertise. Additionally, hospice provides medications, supplies, and equipment needed to care for the patient.
What kind of assistance does hospice provide the family?
The process of dealing with the long, progressive illness of a loved one can be made less complex and more manageable with the support of hospice staff. Hospice team members are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to provide assistance.
What is the hospice approach to pain management?
Almost all physical pain can be controlled with professional medical care. Our physicians and nurses are up to date on the latest medications and methods for pain and symptom relief. Our chaplains and social workers are available to assist patients and family members with spiritual and emotional pain.
Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what is happening?
The goal of hospice care is to teach the patient and family how to remain symptom free, alert and active throughout the illness; and we typically have very successful results.
How do I sign up for hospice?
Remember – you do have a choice regarding care and treatment of a serious illness for yourself or a loved one. Contact Good Shepherd Hospice for more information on how we can help.
Additional Information
Medical Directors
Good Shepherd Hospice physicians work in conjunction with each patient’s regular physician, providing supplemental care focused on a higher level of comfort and quality of life. If the attending physician is not immediately available, hospice physicians ensure prompt medical decision-making.
Registered Nurses
Providing hands-on, individualized care during regularly scheduled visits, Good Shepherd Hospice RNs add a personal touch to professional services which distinguish our care from others. From coordinating medication and supply deliveries to answering patient or family questions to simply holding a hand in a time of need, our nurses are at the heart of Good Shepherd Hospice.
On-Call Nursing
For your peace of mind, a staff nurse is available 24 hours a day, every day.
Home Health Aids / Homemakers
In addition to care provided by our staff RNs, home health aides assist with personal care services that help the patient feel better, be more comfortable or just make the day brighter. Home health aides also provide homemaker services including light housekeeping essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient’s room.
Medical Supplies and More
All supplies, equipment and prescriptions related to the patient’s comfort or terminal condition are provided by Good Shepherd Hospice. Our trained staff members assess the need for these items and coordinate their delivery – one less worry for you.
Social Work Services
Our licensed social workers provide counseling to patients and caregivers for a large variety of needs, including help in resolving emotionally painful family issues or confronting and understanding the many mixed feelings that often accompany terminal illness.
Spiritual Counseling
Good Shepherd Hospice chaplains are available to all patients any time there is a desire for spiritual counseling, with the highest regard for the patient’s personal religious beliefs.
Bereavement Support
At Good Shepherd Hospice, care for the patient is only the first step. The family and their needs are just as important to us, especially when facing the loss of a loved one. Bereavement support starts at the first contact with hospice and continues throughout the patient’s illness and for 13 months following the death of a loved one. We respond immediately, helping surviving family members find healthy outlets for the emotional needs that accompany loss.
Trained Volunteers
Our program volunteers supplement the care given by our staff, adding yet another dimension to our comprehensive approach. Services include everything from visiting with or reading to patients, writing letters, listening to music, playing games, watching movies, etc.
24-Hour Continuous Care
Continuous care is provided during periods of crisis in order to allow the patient to remain at home. Nurses and home health aides are always available to assist in managing the crisis. Our social workers, spiritual counselors, and bereavement counseling services are also a valuable part of our care team during these periods of crisis.
In-Patient Care
Should pain or other symptoms become unmanageable and require inpatient treatment, we will contract for admission to a qualified general inpatient care facility until the condition returns to a manageable level. A co-payment may apply.
Respite Care
Inpatient respite care will be provided to the beneficiary when necessary to relieve the family members or other caregivers that are caring for the beneficiary at home. Coverage for respite care does not require a worsening of the beneficiary’s condition. Respite care is short-term inpatient care and is reimbursed for no more than five consecutive days per respite period. This care is provided on an occasional basis. Any number of situations may necessitate respite care.
Specialized Therapies
Should a patient’s terminal condition require physical, occupational, dietary or speech therapy, our staff contracts with a therapy department to provide palliative PT, OT, or ST therapy. A dietitian is available as needed.
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