Hospice Care FAQ
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a concept of care that serves people with a life-limiting illness by providing comfort care rather than disease treatment.
Who Can Receive Hospice Care?
Anyone with any life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less is eligible for hospice care. Patients and their families can request hospice services. We’ll contact your doctor to discuss the request and confirm that hospice is medically appropriate.
At NorthCare Hospice we are specially trained to handle patients with cardiac disease, ALS and advance lung disease. Learn more about our special programs for these diseases.
How is Hospice Care Paid For?
Most services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance policies. NorthCare Hospice is a not-for-profit organization and is committed to serving all patients regardless of their financial resources. We can help families with questions about financial options and coverage.
Where is Hospice Care Provided?
NorthCare provides care where patients live—your home, a friend or family member’s home, residential facility or nursing home. Patients can also receive care at the NorthCare Hospice House when their symptoms can no longer be managed at home.
Who Can Use the NorthCare Hospice House?
NorthCare Hospice House is available to patients whose life-limiting illness has become complex and requires symptom management 24 hours a day.
Who Provides Hospice Care?
Hospice care is typically provided by a team of people who are specially trained in hospice care. At NorthCare Hospice, our team includes:
- Medical directors – physicians who are board certified or board eligible in hospice and palliative medicine and oversee the patients’ plan of care
- Physicians – your primary care or other physician may be part of your care team
- Nurses specially trained in pain and symptom management.
- Hospice techs – certified nurse’s aides who make regularly scheduled visits to help with bathing, other basic activities and light housekeeping in the patient’s living area
- Social workers – licensed professional social workers who help patients and families cope with challenges related to the illness through counseling, education and support
- Chaplains – offering non-denominational spiritual support
- Volunteers – give practical assistance and companionship, often sitting with patients so the family can take a break from care giving
- Other professionals who provided specialized services as needed: dietitians; physical, occupational and speech therapists; bereavement counselors
We are staffed 24 hours a day, with an on-call team that handles patient needs after business hours and on weekends and holidays.
Contact Us
For more information on NorthCare Hospice, to make a referral or to volunteer, call us at 816.363.2600 or visit the NorthCare Hospice website.