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Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice
We want to make sure you or a loved one feels completely informed about
the Metropolitan Hospice programs and the quality care you can expect. Your
confidence in our skilled specialists should begin early, when you want
answers to your questions.
Hopefully, this section will help you with your research. If you do not
see your question below or are confused by an answer, please call us
at 1-866-958-7423 to speak with one of our helpful counselors.
Is hospice a service or a place?
Hospice is specialized medical care and support that meets the physical,
spiritual and psychosocial needs of patients and their families during an advanced
illness. With some exceptions, hospice is generally not a place. Most
hospice care is provided at home. Hospice care for short-term crisis
intervention can also be provided at skilled nursing facilities (nursing
homes) and hospitals.
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Who is hospice for?
Hospice provides comfort and support for patients in the last stages of
a life-limiting illness (including but not restricted to types of cancer).
Physicians will refer a patient to a hospice program when the prognosis
is for six months or less.
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What services does hospice provide?
Hospice staff work with the caregiver to help provide and coordinate any
and every aspect of care. Hospice may include:
- Pain management
- Visits by nurses and doctors
- Counseling for the patient and family
- Volunteer visits
- Physical therapy
- Short-term inpatient crisis management
- Inpatient respite care (giving the caregiver a rest)
- End-of-life planning
- Bereavement support
Hospice also provides medications, supplies and equipment.
By offering guidance and taking care of necessary details, hospice staff
give caregivers and patients the opportunity to spend more quality time
together.
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What does “pain management” mean?
Hospice addresses both physical and emotional pain. Physical pain is treated
with medications, devices and, where appropriate, physical therapy. Counselors,
clergy and various specialists help with the emotional pain of the patient
and family.
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Can people of all cultures use hospice?
At Metropolitan Jewish Hospice, our personnel are specially trained to
meet the needs of families from a variety of ethnic groups. We also have
staff members who speak different languages. And along with our sensitivity
to cultural needs, we offer special services for all religious groups
and observations.
For example, our hospice staff is educated in Halachic issues
that concern the Orthodox Jewish community. In fact, Metropolitan Jewish
Hospice is one of only a few hospice programs in New York that operates
within Halachic guidelines.
Orthodox patients also have the option of having their care directed
by our Halachic advisor, Rabbi Meyer Scheinberg, or choosing their
own family rabbi. If you would like more information about our special
Orthodox hospice program, call us today at 1-866-958-7423.
Regardless of your ethnic, cultural or religious needs, we have the caring
staff to bring you or a loved one comfort and solace.
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How are hospice services paid for?
There is a Medicare benefit that covers hospice care. Most health insurance
plans also cover hospice, or services may be paid for by Medicaid, managed
care providers, including HMOs, and other third-party payers or private
payment. Please contact us with specific questions about your coverage
as it applies to Metropolitan Jewish Hospice.
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What’s the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Like hospice, palliative care is patient-centered and emphasizes comfort,
care and compassion rather than aggressive efforts to cure the disease.
While hospice is designed for the final stages of a life-threatening illness,
palliative care can begin sooner. This gives the patient and his or her
family more time to come to terms with the situation.
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If I already have a home health aide, will I lose those services when I enter hospice?
No. It’s part of our recognized tradition in caring that we honor
your needs. We will work with your home health aide to continue your
desired level of care and create a comforting environment for hospice.
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What is a living will?
A living will is a legal document specifying the medical care you would
like or not like in extraordinary circumstances, such as life-support
treatment, if you are not able to make the decision yourself. Living wills
fall under a broader category known as Advance Directives, which include
several types of legal documents specifying medical treatment in cases in
which a patient is unable to make his or her own decision.
If you would like more information about our hospice services,
call us today at 1-866-958-7423.
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Frequently Asked Questions
