Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Hospice Care is a service designed to meet the unique needs of a patient and their family that is approaching the end of life.  Hospice Care services may take place when a physician determines that a patient has a life-expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice Care focuses on the care, comfort and quality of life of a person with a serious illness. Our Hospice Care focuses not only on the patient, but also helps in the emotional and spiritual support of their loved ones. Hospice Care is appropriate when the patient and their family make the choice to stop seeking curative care either because it is interfering with the quality of life, or when it is determined that any reasonable efforts for cure are beyond reach.

Hospice is appropriate for anyone with a serious illness or disease, whose Physician and the Hospice Medical Director feel is causing them a life-limiting prognosis that is believed to be six (6) months or less. Examples of serious illnesses or diseases that may qualify for Hospice Care include Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Cancer, Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, End Stage Kidney Disease, and End Stage Heart Diseases. Hospice Care does not necessarily end after six (6) months. If the patient continues to need Hospice Care, it is extended as long as necessary.

It is important to talk with your Physician about your illness and how your disease is progressing. Starting Hospice Care early may help to provide you with months of meaningful care and quality time with your loved ones. Anyone can contact Helping Hands Hospice on a patient’s behalf. We will provide a free evaluation for eligibility. If appropriate, our nursing staff at Helping Hands Hospice will contact your Physician to get an order for Hospice Care Services to begin.

All Hospice Care services, equipment, and medications are covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit and Pennsylvania Medicaid, with no out-of-pocket expenses for the patient. Many private insurances also offer Hospice Care Services, but may require prior authorization from the insurance company and may have limits on the duration of covered Hospice Care. Veterans’ benefits may also cover Hospice Care and private pay is also accepted for those without insurance.

Hospice is a concept or philosophy of care, rather than a place. Hospice Care services can be provided wherever the patient calls home, including a private home, a personal care home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.

Both services focus on the management of symptoms and the determining of the patient’s goals. However, Palliative Care can take place at any time in the patient's life and the patient can be receiving curative care while receiving Palliative Care Services. Palliative Care is a consultative service and does not encompass all of the Hospice Care Services.

While some may think that Hospice provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week care, or full-time care at home or in an outside facility, this is rarely the case. Although our Hospice Care Team provides a lot of support, most of the day-to-day care of a person on Hospice is provided by family and friends. However, a person from our Hospice Team is always available by phone 24/7, to provide both medical and emotional support, answer questions and provide guidance. When you are part of our team, you are never alone.

Studies have shown that when a person enrolls in Hospice Care, they are more likely to have increased family satisfaction and better symptom and pain management. They are also less likely to undergo tests or be given medicine they do not want or need.

Helping Hands Hospice is involved with the We Honor Veterans Program to better meet the unique needs that our Veterans may have at the end of life.

Yes – A patient may revoke Hospice Care Services to resume curative care at any time that they desire. A patient may later resume Hospice Care Services when they are ready to choose comfort care.

Each patient receives an Individualized and Comprehensive Assessment. After consultation with the managing physician, a plan of care is created which determines how often our Hospice Team Member attends to the patient. Sometimes this is one day a week, but could be every day if needed. Visits usually last between 1-4 hours.