Frequently Asked Questions
What is hospice?
Hospice is designed to provide comfort care while ensuring respect for quality of life. It supports patients with pain and symptom management needs who have chosen comfort rather than curative care. Hospice serves the patient and family together, caring for their physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs.
Who qualifies for hospice care?
Patients whose physicians have given a prognosis of approximately six months or less, if their disease follows its normal progression, qualify for hospice care.
What if the patient lives longer than six months?
As long as the physician continues to certify the appropriateness of the patient for hospice care and the patient’s condition remains the same or gradually decline.
How is hospice paid for?
Hospice is paid by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans.
Where is hospice care provided?
Hospice can be provided in the patient’s home, a loved one’s home, nursing facility or hospital. Most anywhere you call home.
What happens in the first 48 hours of hospice service?
The nurse will visit the same day or within 24 hours of referral to go over services/needs and sign any necessary forms. A complete physical assessment will be done by the nurse, who will collaborate with the physician on the hospice plan of care developed with the patient and family. Education will be given to the patient and family regarding daily care and comfort measures. A nurse will follow up either by phone or in person the next day.
Does hospice cover equipment and supplies?
Hospice covers basic medical equipment like hospital beds and wheelchairs, as well as items like dressing change supplies, and medications that are related to the terminal illness. Things not covered by Solomon Valley Hospice include nutritional supplements, over-the counter or personal hygiene items, such as tissues, lotion, shampoo, etc.
Does hospice pay for a senior living home?
Room and board in extended care facilities that accept Medicaid is billed by hospice for patients who have Medicaid.
How often will a nurse visit and how long does the visit last?
Visits will vary according to the patient and family needs. Most patients are initially seen by a nurse two to three times per week, but visits may be more or less frequent based on the needs of the patient and family.
May the patient have physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy?
A patient may receive therapy to the extent that it would add to the patient’s safety and quality of life.
Does hospice have people who stay with the patient overnight?
Hospice is a visiting service and does not provide in-home hourly care. If you are interested in hiring hourly care, our social worker can provide you with resources.
What happens if we have a problem after hours?
Hospice is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Our on-call nurse will be more than happy to help you. Please call 785-738-7508.
Can we call 911?
We ask that you call Solomon Valley Hospice first for all of your urgent needs. We will facilitate any care you may need. This will ensure that your care needs can be handled in the way that you desire.
What if the patient needs to go back to the hospital?
By calling hospice first, we may be able to help keep the patient from having to be admitted to the hospital. If we are unable to control the patient’s symptoms at home, hospice will arrange for the patient to be directly admitted to the hospital for symptom management, bypassing long stays in the ER.
What if we decided we don’t want hospice anymore?
The patient and his or her family can decide to discontinue hospice care at any time. Hospice will ask you to sign a revocation form if you no longer want hospice services.
Can the patient travel outside of the Solomon Valley Hospice service area?
Yes, this is possible if the patient can tolerate travel. Please notify hospice of any change of residence or transfer to another geographic area. When a patient travels outside of the 40-mile service area, Solomon Valley Hospice must be contacted so the patient can be transferred to another hospice that can provide needed care.
What happens at the time of death?
You will call hospice and we will send a hospice staff member to the home. We notify the physician, the medical examiner and the funeral home. You will not need to call 911.
If you have further questions feel free to call anytime! (785)738-9260.