Hospice FAQ

ur patients, caregivers and their families have many questions when they begin Hospice care. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about our services.

• Q: How do I know it is time for Hospice?

  • Your physician told you that you have an incurable illness
  • Over the course of weeks or months, there has been a decline in your health in spite of treatments -- weight loss, decrease in activity level, increase in pain and symptoms
  • Frequent admissions to hospitals and emergency rooms
  • You choose comfort care versus aggressive treatment
  • You and your family need more assistance in the home in caring for yourself or your loved one

• Q: What if I think I need Hospice Care?

  Talk with your physician, contact Hospice for more information at 712-233-4144 or 800-383-4545.

• Q: Does starting Hospice mean I'm giving up hope?

  We understand that making the decision to accept Hospice is often a difficult decision. Confronting the reality that an illness is incurable may be frightening for many individuals and it may be thought that accepting Hospice means giving up hope. Hope changes with the start of Hospice care from hope for a cure or an illness to Hope for ...
  • Comfort
  • Treatment choices known and respected
  • Personal and business closure achieved
  • Respect for dignity
  • Emotional and spiritual support for self and family

• Q: How is Hospice paid for?

  Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance companies provide funding for Hospice services. Medicare and Medicaid pay Hospice of Siouxland a daily rate to provide Hospice services. This daily rate is established by Medicare and Medicaid and covers the following services:
  • Interdisciplinary team services
  • Medications for pain and symptom management of the illness
  • Medical equipment
  • Medical supplies
  • Outpatient services
  • Inpatient care for pain and symptom management
  • Respite care for relief of caregivers
  • Private insurance coverage varies by individual plans.

• Q: Isn't Hospice only for cancer patients?

  Though many people think Hospice only cares for cancer patients, Hospice is available for any person facing a life-limiting illness regardless of the diagnosis. Illnesses may include heart disease, lung disease, dementia, kidney failure, strokes, Lou Gehrig's disease, or illnesses combined together to cause a clinical decline.

• Q: If my loved one is a resident in a nursing facility, why would I need Hospice services?

  Through collaborative caring, Hospice of Siouxland and area nursing facilities have teamed up to offer end-of-life care needs for persons residing in a nursing facility. Because end-of-life creates unique needs for individuals and their families, it is important to combine the expertise of Hospice and nursing facility staff to meet the unique needs of the resident. Hospice of Siouxland can offer the expertise in pain and symptom management, additional emotional support for the resident and family, and bereavement services for family members after the loss of a loved one. The Medicare Hospice benefit is available for residents who are Medicare eligible.

• Q: What can I do to assure my wishes are known and respected?

  
  • Understand the intent of a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
  • Take the time to complete a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
  • Utilize the Five Wishes as a tool to assist in advance care planning.
  • Identify an agent who understands your wishes and will be able to respect your wishes in the event that you are unable to make healthcare decisions.
  • Discuss your wishes with your family and especially the person deemed as your agent.
  • Have your advance directive made into a laminated card for you to carry in your billfold and make sure your physician and hospital has a copy of your advance directive.

• Q: Who can make a referral to Hospice?

  A patient can be referred to Hospice care by anyone–patients can even refer themselves. However, a physician must approve Hospice referral and admission.