ABOUT HOSPICE CARE

We’ll encourage you and your loved one to think and talk about personal choices on how to live. What comes next will be carefully tailored to support those goals and wishes.

Hospice is a service provided to assist families who are taking care of a loved one who is facing a life-limiting illness. We help decrease the burden on the family by providing assistance to make sure your loved one lives their life to the fullest.

Hospice provides an interdisciplinary approach to coordinate and assist in their medical care as well as pain management, with an emphasis on comfort instead of curing.

Hospice provides emotional and spiritual support in helping to prepare the family every step of the way. They educate the family caregivers on the process and how they can participate in the care if they choose.

Hospice Services can be provided in their home, hospital, nursing home or other long-term care facility.

Enrolling in hospice care early helps them do better and also relieves stress for the patient and family so they can enjoy the time they have together.

IS HOSPICE CARE COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Hospice coverage is widely available. Hospice is paid 100 percent by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance; it is the only Medicare benefit that includes pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, 24/7 access to care, nursing, social services, chaplain visits, grief support following a death and other services deemed appropriate by the hospice agency.

If they do not have insurance, medicare or medicaid, Hospice of Siouxland will assist families in finding out whether the patient is eligible for any coverage they may not be aware of including local community funding.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT IS TIME FOR HOSPICE?

• Your physician told you your loved one has an incurable illness
• Over the course of weeks or months, there has been a decline in their health in spite of treatments — weight loss, decrease in activity level, increase in pain and symptoms
• Frequent admissions to hospitals and emergency rooms
• They choose comfort care versus aggressive treatment
• Your loved one and family need more assistance in the home in caring for yourself or your loved one

WHAT DO I DO TO START HOSPICE SERVICES?

• A patient can be referred to Hospice care by anyone–patients can even refer themselves. However, a physician must approve Hospice referral and admission. Talk with your physician, or contact Hospice for more information at 712-233-4144 or 800-383-4545. Hospice can assist in contacting the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time.
• Hospice will meet with you to evaluate the patient and to help you with the necessary paperwork.