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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of services should I expect from Hospice of North Alabama?
Physician services for the medical direction of the patient’s care
Regular home visits by nurses to monitor the patient’s condition and to provide appropriate care and
maintain patient comfort
Home health aide services attending to the patient’s personal needs
Chaplain services for the patient and/or loved ones, if desired
Social work and counseling services
Bereavement counseling to help patients and their loved ones with grief and loss
Medical equipment and medical supplies
Drugs for symptom control and pain relief
Drugs that fall under the terminal diagnosis
Volunteer support to assist loved ones
Physical, speech and occupational counseling, if needed
Dietary counseling, if needed
How is Hospice of North Alabama different from other Hospices?
Hospice of North Alabama is a faith based organization that focuses or the spiritual as well as physical
needs of a patient. In addition, Hospice of North Alabama's care is centered around the desires of the
patient and patient's family. Hospice of North Alabama's level of service is unmatched in the Tennessee
Valley area.
How does one get Hospice services get initiated?
Anyone - physician, family member, or friend - can contact Hospice of North Alabama about beginning
hospice services. Patients and family members are encouraged to discuss choosing hospice with their
physician. Call 256-533-4300 or toll free 1-800-314-9863 to discuss getting hospice services initiated.
You may also click on <Contact Us> to email questions.
How does Hospice care work?
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions
for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and
provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management
and symptom control. The team usually consists of:
Patient and family/caregiver
The patient’s personal physician
Hospice physician (or medical director)
Nurses
Social workers
Speech, physical and occupational therapists if needed
Home health aides
Clergy
Trained volunteers
The plan also outlines the medical and support services required such as nursing care, personal care
(dressing, bathing, etc), social services, physicians’ visits, and counseling. It also identifies the medical
equipment, tests, procedures, medication and treatments necessary to provide high-quality comfort care.
Who is eligible for Hospice care?
The Medicare Hospice Benefit is available to all patients with the Medicare part A benefit and with a life
expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness or disease runs its normal course. The patient, of
course, must choose to elect hospice, and the patient's eligibility must be certified by a physician (most
often the hospice's medical director, together with the patient's attending physician). In addition, hospice
care is covered by most Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
How is Hospice different from other medical care?
Hospice is focused on all of the patient's and family's needs. A coordinated team of hospice
professionals, assisted by volunteers, works to meet the patient's and family's emotional and spiritual
needs, along with the patient's physical needs.
The emphasis is on controlling pain and symptoms through the most advanced techniques available and
on emotional and spiritual support tailored to the needs of the patient and family.
Hospice recognizes that a serious illness affects the entire family as well as the person who is ill. The
family, not just the patient, is the "unit of care" for hospice professionals. Sometimes other family
members actually need more attention than the patient.
What kinds of emotional and spiritual support does Hospice provide?
Hospice recognizes that people are more than a collection of symptoms. People nearing the end of their
lives often face enormous emotional and spiritual distress. They are dismayed as their physical abilities
begin to fail. They don't want to be a burden on their families. They worry how their loved ones will
manage without them. Sometimes, they feel deep regret about things they have done or said - or things
left undone and unsaid. Hospice professionals and volunteers are trained to be active listeners and to
help patients and families work through some of these concerns so that they can find peace and
emotional comfort in their final days.
When should a decision about entering a Hospice program be made, and who should make it?
At any time during a life limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patients care options, including
hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with
the idea of stopping an all-out effort to beat the disease. Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to
these concerns and always available to discuss them with the patient and family.
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 professionals, clergy or friends.
What does the Hospice admission process involve?
One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patients physician to make sure he or she agrees
that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. (Hospices have medical staff available to
help patients who have no physician.)
The patient will also be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms
patients sign when they enter a hospital.
The so-called hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is,
aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the services available. The
form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare
coverage for a terminal illness.
Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before Hospice care
begins?
Your hospice provider will assess your needs, recommend any equipment, and help make arrangements
to obtain any necessary equipment. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the
disease gets worse. In general, hospice will assist in any way it can to make home care as convenient,
clean and safe as possible.
Is Hospice only for cancer patients?
Hospice is available to anyone with a terminal disease and a limited life expectancy. Hospice has helped
patients with AIDS, heart disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and other problems, as well as people with cancer. There are no age
requirements for Hospice.
Is Hospice for the last few days of life?
No, the earlier the hospice is involved, the more benefit the family and patient will derive from the
comprehensive care and bereavement support.
Can I be cared for by Hospice if I reside in a nursing home facility?
Hospice services can be provided to a terminally ill person whose place of residence is a nursing home.
This means the patient receives specialized visits from the hospice team in addition to other care and
services provided by the nursing home. The hospice and the nursing home should have a written
agreement in place in order for hospice to serve residents.
Do I have to sign a Do Not Resuscitate Order to enter Hospice?
No. Admission staff and social workers will present your options and support your decisions.
Can a Hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular treatment?
Certainly. If the patients 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 a discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance
will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
There is no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is to prepare an individualized care
plan that will, among other things, address the amount of caregiving needed in your situation. Hospice
staff visits regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions and provide support.
Must someone be with the patient at all times?
In the early weeks of care, it’s usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time.
Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, hospice
generally recommends someone be there continuously.
How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights
especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, hospices have staff available around the clock to
consult with the family and make night visits if the need arises.
Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
Hospices do nothing either to speed up or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives
lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, so hospice provides its presence and
specialized knowledge during the dying process.
How does Hospice manage pain?
Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical
pain, as it addresses each.
Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom
relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient
as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, massage
and diet counseling.
Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what's happening?
Usually not. It is the goal of hospice to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible. By constantly
consulting with the patient, hospices have been very successful in reaching this goal.
Does the Hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
Hospice provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least a year following the
death of a loved one. Most hospices also sponsor bereavement groups and support for anyone in the
community who experienced a death of a family member, a school friend, and the like.
What kind of services should I expect from Hospice of North Alabama?
Physician services for the medical direction of the patient’s care
Regular home visits by nurses to monitor the patient’s condition and to provide appropriate care and
maintain patient comfort
Home health aide services attending to the patient’s personal needs
Chaplain services for the patient and/or loved ones, if desired
Social work and counseling services
Bereavement counseling to help patients and their loved ones with grief and loss
Medical equipment and medical supplies
Drugs for symptom control and pain relief
Drugs that fall under the terminal diagnosis
Volunteer support to assist loved ones
Physical, speech and occupational counseling, if needed
Dietary counseling, if needed
How is Hospice of North Alabama different from other Hospices?
Hospice of North Alabama is a faith based organization that focuses or the spiritual as well as physical
needs of a patient. In addition, Hospice of North Alabama's care is centered around the desires of the
patient and patient's family. Hospice of North Alabama's level of service is unmatched in the Tennessee
Valley area.
How does one get Hospice services get initiated?
Anyone - physician, family member, or friend - can contact Hospice of North Alabama about beginning
hospice services. Patients and family members are encouraged to discuss choosing hospice with their
physician. Call 256-533-4300 or toll free 1-800-314-9863 to discuss getting hospice services initiated.
You may also click on <Contact Us> to email questions.
How does Hospice care work?
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions
for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and
provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management
and symptom control. The team usually consists of:
Patient and family/caregiver
The patient’s personal physician
Hospice physician (or medical director)
Nurses
Social workers
Speech, physical and occupational therapists if needed
Home health aides
Clergy
Trained volunteers
The plan also outlines the medical and support services required such as nursing care, personal care
(dressing, bathing, etc), social services, physicians’ visits, and counseling. It also identifies the medical
equipment, tests, procedures, medication and treatments necessary to provide high-quality comfort care.
Who is eligible for Hospice care?
The Medicare Hospice Benefit is available to all patients with the Medicare part A benefit and with a life
expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness or disease runs its normal course. The patient, of
course, must choose to elect hospice, and the patient's eligibility must be certified by a physician (most
often the hospice's medical director, together with the patient's attending physician). In addition, hospice
care is covered by most Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
How is Hospice different from other medical care?
Hospice is focused on all of the patient's and family's needs. A coordinated team of hospice
professionals, assisted by volunteers, works to meet the patient's and family's emotional and spiritual
needs, along with the patient's physical needs.
The emphasis is on controlling pain and symptoms through the most advanced techniques available and
on emotional and spiritual support tailored to the needs of the patient and family.
Hospice recognizes that a serious illness affects the entire family as well as the person who is ill. The
family, not just the patient, is the "unit of care" for hospice professionals. Sometimes other family
members actually need more attention than the patient.
What kinds of emotional and spiritual support does Hospice provide?
Hospice recognizes that people are more than a collection of symptoms. People nearing the end of their
lives often face enormous emotional and spiritual distress. They are dismayed as their physical abilities
begin to fail. They don't want to be a burden on their families. They worry how their loved ones will
manage without them. Sometimes, they feel deep regret about things they have done or said - or things
left undone and unsaid. Hospice professionals and volunteers are trained to be active listeners and to
help patients and families work through some of these concerns so that they can find peace and
emotional comfort in their final days.
When should a decision about entering a Hospice program be made, and who should make it?
At any time during a life limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patients care options, including
hospice. By law the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with
the idea of stopping an all-out effort to beat the disease. Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to
these concerns and always available to discuss them with the patient and family.
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 professionals, clergy or friends.
What does the Hospice admission process involve?
One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patients physician to make sure he or she agrees
that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. (Hospices have medical staff available to
help patients who have no physician.)
The patient will also be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms
patients sign when they enter a hospital.
The so-called hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (that is,
aimed at pain relief and symptom control) rather than curative. It also outlines the services available. The
form Medicare patients sign also tells how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare
coverage for a terminal illness.
Is there any special equipment or changes I have to make in my home before Hospice care
begins?
Your hospice provider will assess your needs, recommend any equipment, and help make arrangements
to obtain any necessary equipment. Often the need for equipment is minimal at first and increases as the
disease gets worse. In general, hospice will assist in any way it can to make home care as convenient,
clean and safe as possible.
Is Hospice only for cancer patients?
Hospice is available to anyone with a terminal disease and a limited life expectancy. Hospice has helped
patients with AIDS, heart disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and other problems, as well as people with cancer. There are no age
requirements for Hospice.
Is Hospice for the last few days of life?
No, the earlier the hospice is involved, the more benefit the family and patient will derive from the
comprehensive care and bereavement support.
Can I be cared for by Hospice if I reside in a nursing home facility?
Hospice services can be provided to a terminally ill person whose place of residence is a nursing home.
This means the patient receives specialized visits from the hospice team in addition to other care and
services provided by the nursing home. The hospice and the nursing home should have a written
agreement in place in order for hospice to serve residents.
Do I have to sign a Do Not Resuscitate Order to enter Hospice?
No. Admission staff and social workers will present your options and support your decisions.
Can a Hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular treatment?
Certainly. If the patients 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 a discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance
will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
How many family members or friends does it take to care for a patient at home?
There is no set number. One of the first things a hospice team will do is to prepare an individualized care
plan that will, among other things, address the amount of caregiving needed in your situation. Hospice
staff visits regularly and are always accessible to answer medical questions and provide support.
Must someone be with the patient at all times?
In the early weeks of care, it’s usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time.
Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, hospice
generally recommends someone be there continuously.
How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights
especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, hospices have staff available around the clock to
consult with the family and make night visits if the need arises.
Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
Hospices do nothing either to speed up or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives
lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, so hospice provides its presence and
specialized knowledge during the dying process.
How does Hospice manage pain?
Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical
pain, as it addresses each.
Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom
relief. In addition, physical and occupational therapists assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient
as possible, and they are often joined by specialists schooled in music therapy, art therapy, massage
and diet counseling.
Will medications prevent the patient from being able to talk or know what's happening?
Usually not. It is the goal of hospice to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible. By constantly
consulting with the patient, hospices have been very successful in reaching this goal.
Does the Hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
Hospice provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least a year following the
death of a loved one. Most hospices also sponsor bereavement groups and support for anyone in the
community who experienced a death of a family member, a school friend, and the like.
3311 Bob Wallace Avenue - Suite 101 - Huntsville, AL 35805 256-533-4300 - 800-314-9863 - FAX: 256-533-4122 501 Jackson Avenue North - Suite 7 - Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-7001 - 877-632-7001 - FAX: 256-332-7050 Email: info@hospiceofnorthalabama.com |
