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General hospice questions What is hospice?
Hospice is a model of health care designed to meet a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. For someone diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, hospice can make a profound difference in quality of life, ensuring that the person can live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice also addresses family and caregiver needs, providing practical assistance as well as emotional and spiritual support. Many people think that “hospice” is a particular place, but hospice care can be provided almost anywhere a patient resides: at the patient’s home, or in a retirement home, adult family home, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. [Back to top] What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a health care approach that focuses on providing comfort, managing pain and physical symptoms, and promoting quality of life, but that does not specifically seek to cure an illness. Palliative care is typically recommended when options for curing an illness are no longer available to (or desired by) the patient. By providing relief from pain and physical symptoms, palliative care can enhance a patient’s ability to engage in meaningful activities. Providence Hospice of Seattle’s “Open Access” philosophy lets us be more inclusive of patients who can benefit from palliative treatments that were once typically considered only “aggressive” or “curative” in nature (such as chemotherapy, radiation, IV antibiotics, blood transfusions, TPN, dialysis and hydration). Our patients do not need to forego palliative treatments that help ensure comfort and support quality of life in order to receive the skilled support and care offered by hospice. Hospice team members work with each patient’s physician to determine which treatments and therapies are appropriate for palliative care. [Back to top] Who is eligible to receive hospice care?
Any adult or child who has a life-limiting illness and is no longer seeking curative treatment may be eligible for hospice care. Hospice care is appropriate for people with almost any type of advanced illness, including cancer, ALS and other neurological conditions, Parkinson’s disease, end-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia, cardiac disease, renal disease, respiratory disease, stroke, AIDS, and so on. Hospice is also appropriate for people who don’t have any one illness causing their decline, but a clearly approaching the end of life. In addition, Providence Hospice of Seattle is the only hospice in King County to offer pediatric hospice and palliative care to infants, children and teens through our Stepping Stones program. [Back to top] How is hospice care paid for?
Providence Hospice of Seattle accepts payment from Medicare Part A (patients with all Medicare HMO programs are eligible for our services), Medicaid and most private insurance plans. We also accept private payment. No one is denied services because of an inability to pay. [Back to top] What do the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefits cover?
Medicare has two parts, Hospital Insurance (or Part A) and Medical Insurance or (Part B). Part A covers hospice services and pays nearly all the costs of a patient’s hospice care, which can include: - Intermittent home visits by the hospice staff
- Approved medications for symptom control and pain relief
- Many types of medical equipment (like wheelchairs or walkers) and supplies (like bandages and catheters)
- Short-term respite care in a nursing home
- Authorized outpatient procedures to alleviate symptoms
- Approved hospitalizations for symptom management
- Grief and loss counseling
The Medicare Hospice Benefit does not cover the following: - Treatment intended to cure a terminal illness
- Care from another hospice other than the current hospice provider (Providence Hospice of Seattle)
- Room and board at an assisted living facility, nursing facility or adult family home
Medicaid has a similar hospice benefit, as do most private insurance plans. (Those with private insurance plans should contact the patient’s insurance company’s customer service department for specific information regarding hospice benefits.) [Back to top] Where is hospice care provided?
Providence Hospice of Seattle provides hospice care in a patient’s current place of residence. This may be the patient’s home, retirement home, adult family home, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. [Back to top] When should a decision be made about entering hospice?
At any time during the course of a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice care. In general, the earlier hospice can become involved with a patient, the more support we can give to both the patient and his or her caregivers. It may be time for hospice when: - Curative treatment is no longer an option, or is no longer desired.
- The treatment emphasis changes to comfort, pain management and symptom control, and enhancing quality of life.
- The patient’s physician thinks hospice can help.
- The patient knows he or she is not going to get well. (Patients sometimes become aware of this before others do.)
If you’re a patient or caregiver who is interested in hospice, please contact us for more information, or ask your physician for a referral. You can also reach us by phone at 206-320-4000, or toll-free at 1-888-782-4445. (Physicans can call our referral line at 206-749-7701.) [Back to top] What is the hospice admissions process?
To be admitted to hospice, the patient’s physician must certify that the patient has an estimated life expectancy of six months or less, and the patient has made a decision to seek comfort care only. If the patient’s diagnosis is not cancer, it must meet Medicare/Medicaid criteria. (Most private insurance plans use similar criteria). Finally, there must be a caregiver in place, or there must be a plan to acquire one when necessary. If you’re a patient or caregiver who is interested in hospice, please contact us for more information, or ask your physician for a referral. You can also reach us by phone at 206-320-4000, or toll-free at 1-888-782-4445. (Physicans can call our referral line at 206-749-7701.) [Back to top] What services does Providence Hospice of Seattle provide?
Each hospice patient (and his or her caregivers) is assigned an interdisciplinary care team that provides a wide range of physical, emotional and spiritual support services. Each care team includes a nurse, a home health aide, a social worker, and a chaplain. - Hospice nurses are experts at understanding and managing the individual needs of each patient; they also serve as a valuable resource in educating family members to assist in caring for their loved one. Nurses create and oversee a specialized plan of care for each patient. They visit the patient regularly and offer support by phone.
- Home health aides assist with personal care and help the patient and family with activities of daily living.
- Medical social workers help patients and family with non-medical concerns, including caregiving issues, financial arrangements, end-of-life planning and other practical matters. Social workers also coordinate community resources and provide emotional support to patients and family members.
- Chaplains can help patients and families address spiritual concerns, either directly or by coordinating services with the patient's and family's spiritual counselors.
- Hospice medical directors consult with the patient’s primary care physician and hospice team to ensure that the plan of care continues to meet the patient’s evolving needs.
- Occupational therapists address the patient’s physical needs and environment, promoting independence, safety and quality of life.
- A clinical pharmacist helps ensure that the patient’s medication needs are met.
- Trained volunteers offer practical and emotional support to patients and families. Volunteers can provide caregiver respite, companionship, transportation, assistance with errands and household tasks, and other services.
- Once a patient has died, grief support counselors can help families deal with grief through support groups, counseling and referrals to other support resources. Grief support services are also available to children through the Safe Crossings program.
In addition to medical, emotional and practical support, Providence Hospice of Seattle provides medications and any other medical supplies related to the patient’s primary hospice diagnosis that are necessary to ensure patient comfort. We also offer complementary therapies (including massage, music therapy, hypnotherapy and other healing modalities) to promote the patient’s relaxation and well-being. [Back to top] Does Providence Hospice of Seattle provide hospice services to infants, children and teens?
Yes. Providence Hospice of Seattle is the only hospice in King County that offers pediatric hospice and palliative care services, as well as perinatal hospice services. Our Stepping Stones program provides physical, emotional and spiritual support to infants, children and teens with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Stepping Stones offers each family a team of experienced pediatric specialists dedicated to providing gentle, compassionate care to children. The Stepping Stones team includes pediatric nurses, pediatric social workers, and spiritual care and grief counselors who specialize in working with families and children. Working closely with the child’s medical team and other community resources, we tailor our services to each family’s needs and provide care in the child’s home (or anywhere the child resides). In addition, the Stepping Stones Perinatal Program offers support to parents whose unborn or newborn baby has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Stepping Stones can help gather information, create a specialized birth plan and assist with caring for the baby at home. [Back to top] How long can a patient stay on hospice?
Hospice care does not automatically end after six months. Medicare and most other insurers will continue to pay for hospice care as long as a physician certifies that the patient continues to have an estimated prognosis of six months or less. (Physicans are required to certify that patients are still eligible for hospice benefits every 90 days for the first six months of hospice care, and then every 60 days thereafter.) [Back to top] What happens if the patient’s condition improves?
The quality of care provided by Providence Hospice of Seattle can sometimes lead to significantly better health for a patient. When this happens, the patient may “graduate” from hospice, and Providence Hospice of Seattle will transfer the patient’s care to a non-hospice care provider. Later, if the patient’s prognosis changes and he or she becomes eligible for hospice again, the patient can re-elect the hospice benefit and resume hospice care. Patients who are no longer eligible for hospice care may choose to continue to receive support through our Transitions program. Providence Transitions is a home-based service that provides information, resources and support to adults coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. It is offered free of charge to adults (18+) living in King County. For more information about the Transitions program, please call 206-320-7396. [Back to top] Does choosing hospice mean I’m giving up hope?
No. While choosing hospice may involve acknowledging that most diseases can’t be cured once they’ve progressed to an advanced stage, it definitely does not mean giving up hope. Many people receiving hospice care find great hope in enjoying a higher quality of life through pain and symptom management, in receiving emotional and spiritual support, and in being able to make the most of each day. We work with each patient to find out what hope means to him or her, and then help the patient achieve those goals. [Back to top] Do I have to leave my doctor’s care to enter hospice?
No. Your current doctor will remain with you as your “attending physician.” Our staff will work closely with your doctor on all aspects of your care. In addition, Providence Hospice of Seattle’s medical director will review your hospice plan of care and can consult with your doctor as needed. [Back to top] Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
No. Hospice can neither speed up nor slow down the dying process. We do provide pain and symptom management to ensure patient comfort; however, death is never artificially hastened and always occurs naturally. [Back to top] Does hospice help with assisted suicide?
No. We do not hasten death or prolong life. We provide compassionate care up to the patient’s final day of life. [Back to top] Will I be a burden to my family?
This is a common concern for people considering hospice care. At Providence Hospice of Seattle, one of our primary goals is to provide both practical and emotional support to families and caregivers so that they are better able to help manage their loved ones’ care. A hospice nurse is available 24 hours a day to provide phone consultations, and to visit the patient when appropriate. We also offer trained volunteers who can provide respite care, companionship and other types of support to patients and families. While caring for a loved one at home can certainly be challenging, many families say that they are grateful for the opportunities for closeness that spending this time with their loved one has given them. It can be a deeply rewarding experience for everyone involved. [Back to top] What if I want care that hospice doesn’t cover or don’t want hospice services anymore?
If you prefer to receive care (such as aggressive or curative treatment) that is outside of your Hospice Plan of Care, you can always stop hospice services by signing a form that states you would like to “revoke” your hospice benefit. [Back to top]
Caring for a loved one on hospice Is caring for a hospice patient at home difficult?
While caring for a loved one at home can be challenging, Providence Hospice of Seattle offers extensive practical and emotional support to families and caregivers. A hospice nurse is available 24 hours a day to provide phone consultations, and to visit the patient when appropriate. We also offer trained volunteers who can provide respite care and companionship to patients and families. Despite the challenges of providing care for a loved one who is ill, many families say that they are grateful for the opportunities for closeness that spending this time with their loved one has given them. It can be a deeply rewarding experience for everyone involved. [Back to top] Do you offer any support to caregivers and other family members after a patient dies?
Providence Hospice of Seattle offers emotional support to caregivers and/or families for at least one year following the death of a loved one. Our Grief Support Services team offers support groups, individual assessments, counseling and special commemorative events. We also offer grief support to children through our Safe Crossings program and annual weekend camp, Camp Erin™- King County. For more information about Providence Hospice of Seattle’s grief support services, please call 206-749-7702 or 206-320-4000 (for the Safe Crossings Coordinator). You can also check our Calendar for upcoming support group meetings and events. Most grief support services are open to the community. [Back to top] My loved one isn’t ready for (or eligible for) hospice. Are other services available that can help us cope with my loved one’s illness?
Providence Hospice of Seattle’s Transitions program is specifically designed to meet the needs of people who have life-limiting illnesses but for whom hospice care may not yet be appropriate. Providence Transitions is a home-based service that provides information, resources and support to adults coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. It is offered free of charge to adults (18+) living in King County. For more information about the Transitions program, please call 206-320-7396. [Back to top]
About Providence Hospice of Seattle How do I donate to Providence Hospice of Seattle?
You can make an online donation to the Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, or download a donation form to mail to us. (If you’d like us to mail you a donation form, please contact us at 206-320-7188 or e-mail hospicefoundation@providence.org.) You can target your donation to a particular area of service (such as pediatric hospice or the Patient Care Special Needs Fund) if you choose. Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID number is 91-2077378. All donations are tax-deductible. [Back to top] How do I volunteer with Providence Hospice of Seattle?
Providence Hospice of Seattle offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for people who are interested in helping hospice patients and their families. To learn more about upcoming volunteer trainings and application procedures, check out our volunteer opportunities or call our 24-hour Volunteer Hotline: 206-320-7169. [Back to top] How do I learn more about working for Providence Hospice of Seattle?
Providence Hospice of Seattle is growing, and we have an ongoing need for experienced, compassionate RNs, social workers (MSWs) and CNAs/home health aides, as well as other clinical and office-based staff. To learn more about current employment opportunities, check out our latest Job Postings. [Back to top] Are any Providence Hospice of Seattle services open to the community?
Providence Hospice of Seattle is strongly committed to serving all people coping with illness or loss throughout King County. Many of our services are open to the community; participants do not need to have a loved one who is being served by our hospice. Services that are open to the community include: - Grief support, including counseling, support groups and referrals for adults
- Grief counseling, school support groups and referrals for children and teens (Safe Crossings program)
- Annual weekend camp for grieving children and teens (Camp Erin™- King County)
- Support and resources for people living with a life-limiting illness who are not eligible or ready for hospice (Transitions)
- Educational workshops and seminars, such as Five Wishes (end-of-life planning) and Caregiving at Life’s End
[Back to top] Does Providence Hospice of Seattle only serve patients in Seattle?
In addition to serving patients in the Seattle area, Providence Hospice of Seattle cares for patients in all of King County (including Vashon Island), as well as south Snohomish County. [Back to top] How does Providence Hospice of Seattle address the specific needs of people in diverse communities?
Providence Hospice of Seattle recognizes the need for quality end-of-life health care for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, gender or age. We honor the tremendous diversity in our community and, through our Diversity Outreach initiative, seek to connect with those populations that traditionally have been underserved by hospice programs. Providence Hospice of Seattle promotes cultural sensitivity among our staff, ensuring that patients and their families are treated with respect regarding their customs, culture, belief systems, language and religious preferences. We work closely with interpreters, local clergy and other community members to minimize any barriers to our ability to serve all who need us. In addition, we actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce, one that mirrors our community as a whole. [Back to top] Does Providence Hospice of Seattle have an in-patient hospice facility?
While we don’t currently have an in-patient hospice facility, Providence Hospice of Seattle can provide hospice services anywhere patients reside, including skilled nursing facilities, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes and private residences. [Back to top] I’ve heard that Swedish and Providence have formed an alliance. Does that mean that Providence Hospice of Seattle is now part of Swedish?
No, this alliance does not affect Providence Hospice of Seattle. Providence continues to own and operate Providence Hospice of Seattle, as well as a number of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in King County. Under the alliance agreement, Swedish owns and operates Providence Seattle Medical Center (now Swedish Medical Center – Cherry Hill campus), 1600 Jefferson Medical Office Tower and Providence Medical Group clinics in King County. [Back to top] Providence Hospice of Seattle is affiliated with the Sisters of Providence. Do patients have to be Catholic?
Providence Hospice of Seattle is committed to providing care for all people in need, regardless of religious affiliation. Our staff reflects a broad range of religious beliefs and faith traditions, and we respect the individual beliefs of each patient and family member. [Back to top]
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