Three Things to Know about Hospice Care

When it comes to hospice care, plenty of myths still exist about what services are provided and how patients are cared for by the hospice. So, what is hospice? Here are three things you should know about hospice care.

You do have some choice in hospice providers.

Would you like to know what you’re getting when it comes to the care of your loved one, or even perhaps, yourself? Before we make a big, and sometimes small, purchase—cars, houses, televisions, cell phones—we research. We read reviews online; we check out the company’s website; we ask others for their opinions. You can do the same thing with hospice providers. Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance carriers cover hospice services. However, insurance carriers might not contract with all hospices. Learn which providers are covered by your insurance, then research and compare providers so you can make an informed decision. 

You don’t have to go anywhere to be cared for by a hospice.

Hospice isn’t a place you go. Hospice is a philosophy of care, and part of that philosophy is to care for people in the place they call home. Your hospice care team will visit you in your place of residence, and provide care to you there. That includes visits from your nurse, visits from a home health aide, and if you choose, social worker, chaplain, and volunteer visits.

Sometimes, hospice patients will require more care than can be provided in the home. A symptom can become unmanageable by the family caregiver, and the hospice will recommend moving the patient to a hospice inpatient unit. The patient will only remain in the inpatient unit until the symptom is stabilized.

Hospice provides 24-hour support, but not 24-hour supervision.

Hospice care does not provide round-the-clock care in the home. The hospice empowers you with the education you need to care for your loved one. What hospice care does offer is 24-hour support. Hospice staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the event of questions or if a crisis situation arises. Should you need assistance, you should be able to call your hospice, and a staff member will answer your question over the phone, or if necessary, will visit your loved one.

For more frequently asked questions, visit the Hospice Services page of our website. If you have a loved one in need of hospice care in the Tucson area, call us at 520-544-9890.

By Carrie Bui, Communications Specialist