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Questions About Hospice

Anyone who has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness of six months or less, if the disease runs its natural course, can benefit from the comfort of hospice care. As hospice focuses on caring, not curing, our goal is to help patients maintain control of their lives, and live their last days in comfort and with dignity. The sooner hospice care begins, the more the patient and family can benefit from its many services.

  • What is Hospice?

    Hospice is a program of compassionate, patient-centered care. It allows patients with a terminal illness to remain where the patient calls home, in greater control of their lives, surrounded by the people and things that give life meaning and comfort. Since the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a terminal disease affect everyone in the home, hospice care serves the entire family, not just the patient, and continues after death with bereavement support. Hospice focuses on helping patients be pain free and comfortable so they can make the most of the time that remains. We believe that quality of life is as important as length of life.

  • How do I get Hospice care?

    A referral to hospice can be made whenever a patient and family are dealing with a life limiting illness. While the referral must be approved by the patient’s physician, the patient may be referred to hospice by family members, friends, clergy or health professionals. The hospice will then coordinate individualized care with the hospice team. However a nurse can come out and do an in person evaluation free of charge, with no obligation to choose us as your provider and no pressure to make a decision immediately.

  • Is Hospice covered by insurance?

    Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid and by most private insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should check with their employer or health insurance provider. Also you can call our office and we can assist you as well 801-576-1455.

  • What does the Hospice admission process involve?

    The Hospice nurse will complete an evaluation & report their findings to the hospice medical director, if eligibility meets the requirements needed, the hospice medical director can provide a hospice order so that we can proceed with the admission. At this point the nurse from Hospice For Utah will explain to the patient, family and/or caregivers in detail what hospice provides and answer any questions you may have. If the patient and/or family feels that all curative measures have been exhausted and that comfort care is the focus, hospice care is started, and a plan of care centered on the specific needs of the patient is developed.

  • Are there initial steps I can take to make sure I get Hospice care when the time comes?

    Ideally, everyone would make their views about end-of-life care known to their families, but most put it off or wait too long. There are misconceptions about hospice care, that’s why calling and asking questions are best. We see a lot of people waiting too long before reaching out to hospice which sometimes makes the end of life experience not pleasant. People think they can only have a few weeks or days before getting hospice services which is not true. So we recommend reaching out with any sort of decline mentally or physically and we can assess and get the patient the help and/or direction needed.

  • Does Hospice do anything to make death come sooner?

    Hospice does nothing either to hasten or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth, so hospice provides specialized knowledge and care during the dying process.

  • Is the home the only place Hospice care can be delivered?

    Hospice care is provided anywhere the patient resides examples; assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, or home.

  • Does Hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?

    Hospice For Utah provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least a year following the death of a loved one. Hospice For Utah also sponsors bereavement and support groups for anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a family member, a friend or a loved one.

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801-576-1455
Fax: 801- 576-1472

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