What is hospice?

Hospice is about embracing the hope to live as fully as possible, in comfort and dignity, even when faced with an advanced illness. Our hospice care focuses on the patient’s quality of life, emotional support for both patient and family, at-home management of medical needs, as well as advanced management of pain and symptoms. Anyone can refer a patient to hospice; patients can even refer themselves.

Who is eligible for hospice care?

• Individuals with illnesses where curative measures are no longer effective
• Those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition with a prognosis of 6 months or less
• Individuals do not have to be homebound to receive hospice care
• Eligibility for hospice services must be certified by the patient’s attending physician and the hospice medical director.

When is it time for hospice?

Primarily, it is time for hospice care when doctors give a prognosis of 6 months or less to live. It is ideal to start hospice care and hospice support early to ensure both patient and family members fully benefit from the many services hospice provides.

The following factors are good indicators that it’s time for hospice:

• A doctor has certified the patient has six months or less to live if the condition/disease follows its normal course
• Curative treatments (medications, chemotherapy, rehab, etc.) are no longer effective or create side effects
• The patient has decided to stop testing, hospitalizations and treatments in favor of palliative care
• Mental signs such as decreasing alertness, withdrawal, increased sleeping, or mental confusion
• Physical symptoms such as less desire to eat, significant weight loss, and body changes
• The patient is increasingly unable to perform the activities of daily living
• Over 4–6 months, the patient has experienced any of these:
  • Loss of 10% or more of body weight
  • More than 3 hospitalizations or emergency room visits
  • Presence of other co-morbid conditions
  • Declining physical activity
  • Declining mental alertness/cognition

Who pays for hospice?

Medicare pays for 100% of allowable charges, including charges for medications, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, respite care and inpatient care related to the hospice diagnosis. Most private insurances plans, as well as Medicaid also offer hospice coverage.

Is hospice available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Our Guadalupe Regional hospice staff is on call 24 hours a day. After regular hours, and on weekends or holidays, you may contact the Hospice on-call nurse for symptom management, changes in your health, and questions by calling GRMC at (830) 379.2411.

How do I support my aging loved ones?

We know that family and loved ones need support too. We offer several programs that help families manage end-of-life care and support them as they grieve. Below are some ways to continue to support your loved ones through this transition.

• Empathize with them.
• Call them regularly.
• Get other loved ones involved.
• Seek out potential problems.
• Advocate for them.
• Encourage them to be active.
• Help them downsize without being bossy.
• Help them create a memory book.