Common Questions

Hospice is a service provided to those who have 6 months or less to live so long as their disease progresses its normal course and has been deemed eligible by the Hospice Medical Director. Quality of life, the benefit versus the burden of aggressive treatment and the individual’s wishes also play a role in the decision to enter hospice care.

There are key indicators for when the choice of hospice is appropriate or close. Some of these may include:

• Multiple and frequent falls
• Excessive loss of weight
• Multiple infections
• Non healing wounds
• Limited or no treatment options
• Medications are no longer of assistance
• Utilization of concentrated oxygen is no longer helping
• Life limiting or chronic illness has run its course

Studies have shown that some people on hospice services actually live longer than projected. In these cases, the patient may remain on hospice with recertification by the hospice medical director.

Hospice care is a covered benefit under many private insurance carriers, Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare (a military service member and family benefit), as long as certain criteria are met. Hospice care includes home visits and all related medications, supplies, and equipment for easing pain and providing comfort.

Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurances, and private pay provide access to the hospice benefit. Benefits include:

• Medications for pain relief and symptom management
• Medical, nursing and social services
• Grief counseling
• Some short-term inpatient stays for pain and symptom management that cannot be addressed at home; however, these stays must be in a Medicare-approved location, such as a skilled nursing facility, hospital or hospice location.
• Inpatient respite care, which provides for a hospice patient’s needs in a Medicare-approved facility so your caregiver may take a break. Respite care allows five days of care.
• Hospice may continue beyond six months with recertification from the hospice medical director or hospice physician.

Heart & Soul Hospice, as well as our parent organization, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, provides quality services for people of many creeds, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and non-Christian faiths.

We understand that conversations about death can create anxiety, but breaking the ice on this difficult topic is important. The primary care physician who cares for you — or your loved one — can be an excellent resource for opening the subject. And we can, too. We are trained to help families navigate death and dying with compassion and honesty.

Home health services help a person regain function after an illness, injury or surgery when homebound. Hospice is specialized care that assists with the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of a person and their family when facing a life-limiting illness. A person is usually not able to receive both. Please notify us if you are receiving care from a home health agency.

At your discretion, your primary care physician can be involved as much, or as little, as you like in mapping out your plan of care. Your physician works with our staff physicians to coordinate medical care, especially as symptoms become more difficult to manage.

Hospice care supplements the care provided by your family or hired caregivers in the home or senior living community. We provide intermittent care that includes scheduled visits by your team. Our staff is available 365 days a year.

You will continue to maintain your Medicare/Medicaid coverage for all health problems not related to your hospice illness.

Yes, although all hospitalizations should be coordinated through your hospice team prior to going to the hospital.

You are encouraged to travel, as much as your health allows. Notify your care team as soon as possible of your travel plans. Your care team will assist you in preparing for the trip. We may need to arrange for you to have care from another hospice in the area in which you will be staying. Your care team will help you determine the best way to handle your situation.

No.  You are encouraged to participate in as many activities as your health allows.

Your doctor will determine if physical therapy would be helpful to you. Physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy may be covered services if your physician deems them appropriate to manage symptoms. We will arrange for you to receive any needed therapies.

Generally, chemotherapy and radiation are for curative treatment, however, in some cases they may be approved for symptom management. Talk with your hospice nurse if you are considering one of these treatments.

Heart & Soul Hospice provides both in-home patient care and in-patient hospice care through contracts with hospitals and senior living communities where your loved one may reside. We also have contracts with several area hospitals and senior living communities to provide respite care for patients for up to five days at a time. For more information about respite care, contact one of our offices, 316-652-6212 for Newton or Wichita, Kan., or 573-756-7066 for Farmington, Mo.

You may choose to discontinue hospice service at any time.