Making choices about your healthcare or that of a family member can be stressful.  Doctors, nurses and other family members may be looking to you for answers that you don't have.  The following ten questions are the ones we hear the most.  Hopefully, during this difficult time, this we can provide some answers to the questions you have about Hospice services, allowing you and your family to make informed decisions about your illness. 

If you would like a private consultation visit to explain our services in detail, please call our office at (304) 255-6404, toll free 800-900-6404.

1. When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made and who should make it?
   • At any time during a life-limiting illness, it's a appropriate to discuss all of a patient's care options, including hospice.  By law the decision belongs to the patient.  Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping aggressive efforts to "beat" the disease.  Hospice staff members are highly sensitive to these concerns and always available to discuss them with the patient and family.  Once the decision is made, hospice patients are cared for by a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, clergy, and volunteers - and each provides assistance based on his or her own area of expertise.  In addition, hospice provides medications, supplies and equipment related to the terminal illness.
     
2. Should I wait for a physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?
   • The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician.  Most physicians know about hospice, however, additional information is available anytime by calling our office at (304) 255-6404 or toll free 800-900-6404.  Consultation visits explaining hospice services are available at no charge to the family and/or physician at any time with no obligation.
     
3. Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
   • Certainly.  If the patient's condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy and go on about their daily life.  There is no problem with the patient returning to hospice care at a later time.
     
4. What does the hospice admission process involve?
   • After receiving a referral for hospice services, one of the first things the hospice program will do is contact the patient's physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time.  Our hospice Medical Director is available to help petients who have no physician.  Once the patient is certified, hospice services will begin immediately.
     
5. Must someone be with the patient at all times?
   • If a patient begins hospice services in the early stages of the disease process, it's usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time.  Later, however, as the disease progresses, it will be neccessary for someone to be there continuously.  While family and friends deliver most of the care, hospice does provide volunteers to assist with errands and to provide a break and time away for primary caregivers.  Hospice also provides respite services to our patients.  In November, 2006, Hospice of Southern West Virginia opened the Doug and Lucy Bowers Hospice House.  This an additional option for end-of-life care for those who do not have a caregiver.
     
6. How difficult is caring for a dying loved one at home?
   • It's never easy and sometimes can be quite hard.  At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary.  So, hospice has staff available around the clock to consult by phone with the family and make night visits if appropriate.  Although 90% of hospice care is provided in a personal residence, hospice can also serve patients who live in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities.  The Bowers Hospice House may also be appropriate for someone who is no longer able to stay in their own home.
     
7. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?
   • Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.  Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death.  The nature of dying is so unique that the goal of the hospice team is to be sensitive and responsive to the special requirements of each individual and family to provide the physical, spiritual and emotional support necessary to prepare for a death that is satisfactory to them.
     
8. How does Hospice "manage pain"?
   • Hospice believes that emontional and spiritual pain is just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it can address each.  Hospice nurses and doctors are up to date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief.  Hospice has a very high success rate in battling pain.  Families often worry about medications preventing the patient from being able to talk or know what's happening.  Some families even worry about addiction.  It is the goal of hospice to have the patient as pain free and alert as possible for as long as possible.  By constantly consulting with the patient, their families and their physician, hospice has been very successful in reaching this goal.
     
9. Is hospice care covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.?
   • Hospice coverage is widely available.  Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers.  If a patient is not covered by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, hospice will assist the family in finding, out about any coverage they may not be aware of.  This said, Hospice of Southern WV would not refuse services based on lack of coverage.
     
10. Does hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
    • Hospice provides continuing contact and support for caregivers and families for at least a year following the death of a loved one.  Hospice also provides bereavement support groups in the four counties that we serve (Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Wyoming).  The support groups are open to anyone in the community who has experienced a death whether they were a hospice participant or not.  Families also receive monthly letters of hope and quarterly phone calls as part of our bereavement services. Caregivers or family members who are unable to attend support group meetings or who need more personal attention are encouraged to schedule a home visit.