It’s appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice, at any time during a life-limiting illness. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping aggressive efforts to “beat” the disease. Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and always available to discuss them with the patient and family.

One of the first things we will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. (We also have physicians available to help patients who don’t have their own.) The patient will be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital.

The hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is palliative (meaning 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.

No. CHP Hospice is an independent, community-based, hospice. We offer pastoral care and spiritual counseling and recognize its importance to both the patient and family. We serve a broad community and do not ask patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.

Yes. It is your right to choose your advance directives. We do not require a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, but we provide advance directives resources and we will review all options with you.

Yes. We encourage you to continue seeing your primary care physician. Our team continues to communicate with your primary care physician while you receive our care.

Yes. 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 with 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.

We continue to provide the same care for you as long as you remain hospice eligible.

Hospice neither hastens nor postpones dying. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.