Why Hospice?
Unique physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial needs occur during the final phases of terminal illness. Hospice provides experienced, skilled specialists who give needed help and support during this difficult time. Hospice recognizes that every person’s experience will be different. The Hospice team works with the attending physician and family to develop care which meets the patient’s and family’s needs and wishes concerning treatment and lifestyle.

Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?
Hospice serves persons of any age with any terminal illness. Among the illnesses our patients have had are: cancer, cardiac, renal, lung, Lou Gehrig’s disease, neurological illnesses, AIDS, cirrhosis, leukemia, dementia, and other end-stage disorders.

Do I need to wait for a physician to recommend hospice?
No. The patient and family can discuss hospice at any time with a friend, the person's physician, the hospital, nursing home, home health agency, clergy, or the health care professionals at Hospice of Queen Anne’s. We will contact your doctor directly, to verify that hospice is medically appropriate. A patient becomes admitted to Hospice by signing a consent form electing hospice care.

Can a Hospice patient continue with his or her own doctor?
Yes. A Hospice Medical Director is available for consultation with the patient's doctor. Hospice nurses will work with the patient's doctor on all aspects of care.

Is hospice for adults only?
No. Hospice of Queen Anne’s also provides hospice care services to children and infants who have a terminal illness of any kind.

Can nursing home and assisted living residents receive care?
Yes. Residents of these facilities receive the same services as do patients in private homes. Hospice is primarily a concept of care, rather than a specific place. Services are provided wherever you call home, be it a family residence, nursing home, assisted living facility, inpatient unit, or hospital.

What does Hospice provide?
The services offered by Hospice include a consultant physician, registered nurses, home health aides, spiritual care, social work services, therapies (physical, occupational, speech), dietary counseling, drugs and medical supplies/ equipment related to the life-limiting illness, respite care, trained volunteers, and bereavement counselors.

Does Hospice provide 24-hour nursing?
No. Hospice nurses visit weekly or more frequently as the patient's condition dictates. A Hospice nurse is also accessible 24 hours a day by phone to assist with questions or emergencies, and can make a home visit if needed.

When is the right time to contact Hospice?
At any time during a terminal illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice. When curative treatments are no longer effective, Hospice treatments for comfort care are usually indicated. Federal law requires a doctor's statement of life expectancy of six months or less. Take our questionnaire.

Can I choose to leave hospice care at any time?
Absolutely. If the condition improves, or if curative treatment is pursued, the patient may leave the hospice program at any time.

Who pays for Hospice?
Most health insurances, including Medicare/Medicaid, provide full coverage for Hospice care, usually with no co-payments or deductibles. However, they do not pay for Room and Board. Patients with inadequate insurance and limited resources can apply for financial assistance, which is funded through the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and community organizations. Hospice provides care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

What kind of after-care is available to families and loved ones?
Grief is a normal response to loss. Hospice offers bereavement counseling, grief management classes, and specialized bereavement retreats to both adults and children for over a year after the death of a loved one.