Hospice Questions Answered with Clarity
When facing important healthcare decisions, you deserve clear, honest answers. Town Square Hospice believes that informed families make the best choices for their loved ones. Below you’ll find comprehensive responses to the most common hospice care questions we hear from patients and families across the Midwest.
These answers come from our experienced hospice staff and reflect our commitment to transparency, education, and compassionate guidance during this important journey. Please contact us with any additional questions.
Understanding Hospice Care Basics
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice helps people live out their remaining time with as much comfort, dignity, and peace as possible. Our focus centers on quality of life for patients and families, promoting interests, emotional connections, spiritual growth, social interactions, and physical well-being.
Hospice serves people with any kind of advanced illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, though hospice care can last months or even years. Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers cover hospice services.
Our family-oriented hospice programs help families and friends care for loved ones in their own homes, assisted living communities, independent living facilities, or nursing homes. We value each individual’s worth and importance, offering hope, dignity, and comfort.
What Hospice Is Not
Hospice is not just medical care. Your emotional well-being and spiritual concerns are equally important to our team.
- Hospice is not only for terminal illness. We serve patients with various life-limiting conditions who choose comfort over curative treatments.
- Hospice is not a location. We provide care wherever you call home, not in institutional settings.
- Hospice does not substitute for your family’s care. We support and enhance the love and attention you provide.
- Hospice is not just for the final days. Many patients receive hospice care for months, focusing on quality time with loved ones.
- Hospice does not require a DNR. You maintain control over medical decisions throughout your care.
Understanding Hospice vs. Other Care Options
How Is Hospice Different From Palliative Care?
Please note: Town Square Hospice focuses exclusively on hospice services and does not provide palliative care.
Both hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, but they serve different purposes. Hospice serves patients with a life expectancy of six months or less who choose comfort over curative treatment. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of serious illness.
Many families work with palliative care organizations earlier in their journey, then transition to hospice care when comfort becomes the primary goal. National hospice and palliative care organizations often work together to ensure seamless transitions for families.
Questions About Hospice Care Levels and Services
What Are the Four Levels of Hospice Care?
- Routine Home Care: Regular visits from our team while family members provide daily care at home.
- Continuous Care: Up to 24-hour nursing support at home during medical crises that require intensive management.
- Respite Care: Temporary inpatient care (up to five days) that gives family caregivers time to rest.
- General Inpatient Care: Hospital or facility-based care for complex symptoms that cannot be managed at home.
How Is Hospice Different From Home Health Care?
Home health care helps patients recover from illness or surgery. Hospice provides comfort care for patients who are no longer seeking curative treatment, focusing on quality of life rather than recovery.
How Do I Qualify for Hospice Care?
To receive hospice care, a physician must certify that you have a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the condition follows its expected course. Many patients exceed this timeframe and continue receiving hospice services.
What Questions to Ask About Hospice Care?
When you choose a hospice provider, consider asking about 24/7 availability, local staffing consistency, bereavement support duration, and how they coordinate with your current healthcare team. Our care plan development process ensures personalized patient care that reflects your family's values and preferences.
Questions to Ask About Hospice Chaplain Services
Do I Have to Be Religious to Receive Chaplain Services?
Our chaplains support people from all backgrounds, including those who don't consider themselves religious but seek spiritual comfort or someone to discuss life's more profound questions.
Will the Chaplain Try to Convert Me or Push Their Beliefs?
Never. Our chaplains respect your existing beliefs and never attempt to change your spiritual perspective. They provide support based on your values and preferences.
Can I Have My Own Religious Leader Involved?
Absolutely. Our chaplains often work alongside your existing religious community, pastor, rabbi, imam, or spiritual advisor to provide comprehensive support.
What If I'm Not Sure I Want Chaplain Services?
Chaplain services are entirely optional. You can request them at any time during your hospice journey or choose not to include them at all. The decision remains entirely yours.
Do Chaplain Services Cost Extra?
Chaplain services are included as part of your hospice care at no additional cost to families.
How Do I Find a Local Chaplain for In-Home and Inpatient Hospice?
You're in the right place. Contact our team today to learn more about receiving support from our local hospice team and chaplains.
What to Ask a Hospice Team About Bereavement Support
When Should I Seek Support for Grief?
There's no "right" time to begin grief support. Many families benefit from starting before their loved one passes, while others prefer to wait. Our team remains available whenever you feel ready to seek support.
What If I'm Not Ready for Group Support?
Individual counseling provides privacy and personalized attention for those who aren't comfortable in group settings. You can always transition to group support later if your preferences change.
Do You Support Children and Teenagers?
Yes, our bereavement service includes age-appropriate support for younger family members. We understand that children and teens process loss differently and require specialized approaches.
What If My Loved One Wasn't a Hospice Patient with Your Organization?
While our extended bereavement program serves families from our hospice care, we also provide limited community bereavement services. Contact us to discuss available options for your family.
How Long Does Grief Counseling Typically Last?
Grief follows no timeline. Some people benefit from short-term support, while others prefer longer-term guidance. Our counselors work with you to determine what feels most helpful for your healing journey.
Understanding Hospice vs. Other Care Options
How Is Hospice Different From Palliative Care?
Please note: Town Square Hospice focuses exclusively on hospice services and does not provide palliative care.
Both hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, but they serve different purposes. Hospice serves patients with a life expectancy of six months or less who choose comfort over curative treatment. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of serious illness.
Many families work with palliative care organizations earlier in their journey, then transition to hospice care when comfort becomes the primary goal. National hospice and palliative care organizations often work together to ensure seamless transitions for families.
Additional Common Hospice Program Questions
Who Provides Hospice Care?
Our interdisciplinary team includes physicians, registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, hospice volunteers, and trained aides. Each team member brings specialized skills to address medical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
How Quickly Can Hospice Services Begin?
Most hospice programs can begin services within 24 hours of physician certification. We coordinate with your current healthcare team to ensure smooth transitions and immediate comfort measures.
Can I Stop Hospice Services If I Change My Mind?
Yes. Patients can discontinue hospice services at any time and return to curative treatments. You maintain complete control over your care decisions throughout the journey.
What About Pain Management?
Professional pain management is a cornerstone of hospice care. Our medical team specializes in keeping patients comfortable through medication adjustments, symptom monitoring, and alternative comfort measures.
Ready for Personalized Answers?
These hospice questions represent common concerns, but every family’s situation is different. Our team provides personalized answers that address your specific circumstances, preferences, and goals for care.
Whether you’re exploring options for a family member or seeking clarity about our hospice services, we’re here to provide the information and support you need to make confident decisions.