1. When is the right time to call hospice?
The answer is anytime, but hospice care is specifically designed to enhance the last six months of life. It's best if you contact us early so you can make the most of these months. The sooner you choose hospice, the sooner we can start making every day a celebration of life.
2. Should I raise the possibility of hospice, or should our physician raise it first?
Patients and families should feel free to bring up hospice care at any time with their caregivers.
3. Will hospice patients be returned to regular medical treatment if they seem to be recovering?
Yes. A patient care be discharged from hospice and returned regular medical treatment if a patient seems to be recovering or if the disease is going in remission.
4. Does hospice provide care for home-based patients? What about other locations outside the home?
Most hospice care is based in a patient’s home, however hospice can also be provided in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers.
5. Does hospice expedite the dying process?
No. Hospice caregivers provide support, comfort and care during the dying process, but do not do anything to either speed up or slow down the process.
6. What does hospice do for pain management?
Hospice caregivers stay current on the latest pain relief medications and devices. Physical and occupational therapists help patients to be as self sufficient and mobile as possible. In addition, counselors, social workers and chaplains are available to help patients and family members with emotional and spiritual pain.
7. Do hospice medications impact a patient’s ability to communicate and stay alert?
The goal of hospice is to help patients be as comfortable and alert as they desire.
8. Does insurance cover hospice?
Hospice is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Most health insurance covers a large portion of hospice expenses. Visit Understanding the Medicare Hospice Benefit for more information.
9. What if the patient does not have health insurance and isn’t covered by Medicare?
Saint Mary’s Hospice helps patients and families find payment resources they might not be aware of. As a non-profit, Saint Mary’s Hospice never turns away anybody based on their inability to pay.
10. Does hospice provide help to families after a patient has died?
Saint Mary’s Hospice provides continuing support for family and friends for at least a year following the death of a loved one. In addition, bereavement services are also available to those in need. Visit Bereavement Services for more information.
Saint Mary's Hospice of Northern Nevada
429 Elm Street
Reno, NV 89503
(775) 770-3081
