Frequently Asked Questions

 Anyone can make a referral, including family members, caregivers, physicians, facilities, or the patient. 

 No. Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, support, and quality of life. 

 Yes. Hospice can be provided wherever the patient calls home, including a private home, nursing home, or assisted living facility. 

Hospice care is a type of care that focuses on the quality of life of people who are terminally ill. It provides comfort, support, and pain management to help patients and their families cope with the end-of-life process.

 Yes. Oldham Hospice Services offers a free, no-obligation evaluation. 

 The Medicare Hospice Benefit may cover care as long as the patient is considered terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. 

 Fact: Hospice is about helping people enjoy the best possible quality of life and live life to the fullest. 

 Fact: Hospice occurs wherever the patient calls home, including a nursing home or assisted living facility. 

 Fact: Earlier hospice involvement may help patients receive more benefit and support. 

 Fact: Patients do not have to have a DNR or other advance directive to receive hospice care. 

 Fact: Hospice may be appropriate for many life-limiting illnesses, including end-stage heart disease, COPD, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, AIDS, and more.  

 Fact: Anyone can make a referral. The patient’s doctor can be contacted to discuss whether a hospice assessment is appropriate.   

 Fact: Your family physician can be part of the hospice care team and remain informed of your condition.   

 Fact: Hospice strives to manage symptoms outside the hospital, but the patient always has the choice to go to the hospital. 

 Fact: Hospice is a covered Medicare benefit, and most private insurance and Medicaid will also cover services for eligible patients.