Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Hospice and palliative care both focus on “palliation” that is, comfort.
Hospice care is typically elected by the patient who is no longer pursuing a cure for a terminal illness or condition.
Palliative care is usually sought by patients and their caregivers while hope for improvement or remission remains. The palliative care patient may or may not continue treatment aimed at cure.
- What if the patient wants to keep trying for a cure?
Hospice House and Support Care helps patients whether or not they continue to participate in active treatment for the illness or condition. It is up to the patient and physician to decide what is the best course of treatment.
- What illnesses qualify for hospice or palliative support?
Cancer that has spread, with advanced disease process, weight loss, confusion, etc.
Congestive Heart Disease with severe fatigue, shortness of breath at rest, edema
Dementia when the patient is bed-bound and incapable of personal care with continuing weight loss and loss of meaningful speech
End Stage Immune Disorders
Chronic Lung Disease with shortness of breath at rest, oxygen dependence, frequent hospitalization
Neuro-Muscular Disorders such as ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”), advanced Parkinson’s disease or MS (multiple sclerosis) with rapid progression, loss of muscle use and weight loss
Multi-System Breakdown with primary organ failure due to conditions such as end-stage diabetes and end-stage kidney disease that require total care
Stroke resulting in coma, inability to swallow and continuing weight loss and need for total care
- Do we need a referral for Hospice or Palliative care?
Hospice House and Support Care does not require a physician’s referral. A patient or family members may simply call directly (757-253-1220) to request services, or they can authorize the doctor or nurse to contact hospice on their behalf. For home health services covered by Medicare or other insurance, the patient or family should ask the physician to refer the patient to a home health or home hospice provider
- How many days of care can Hospice House and Support Care provide?
As long as the patient and family are benefiting from Hospice House and Support Care, services may continue. Length of stay at Hospice House is limited to days or weeks, based on the patient’s and family’s needs. The length of time that they may receive Hospice Support Care at home, is essentially unlimited.
- How does Hospice House and Support Care fit into home health care?
Hospice House and Support Care works alongside and in cooperation with the home health care nurse and other medical professionals who are providing care to the patient. The role of Hospice House and Support Care is to respond to the many family needs that are not “medical”. A volunteer will provide respite for the caregiver and can also bring the family needed supplies and equipment. Hospice volunteers are members of the community who have been trained and passed a background check. Some have professional nursing experience. Many, if not most have themselves cared for a seriously ill loved one.
Because Hospice House and Support Care does not charge for any of these services, the home health care provider is able to continue to serve the patient and to be reimbursed for services, whether the patient is at home or at Hospice House. This ensures continuity of care for the patient, who remains under medical supervision by his physician and home health care (or home-hospice) nurse while the entire family receives needed additional support.
- Is Hospice House and Support Care a part of a hospital system?
NO. Hospice House and Support Care of Williamsburg is an entirely independent operation. Hospice House and Support Care serves patients, not providers. The patient chooses the hospital or home health care provider based on his preference and applicable insurance benefits, and Hospice House and Support Care works in cooperation with the professionals attached to whichever hospital or agency is serving the patient.
- What is the difference between Hospice House and Support Care and other medical Hospice programs?
Hospice House and Support Care is an independant, volunteer-intensive agency that assists patients with life threatening illness living in the Greater Williamsburg area.
Offers a menu of services
Does not require a physician's certification or recertification to open or continue services.
Is not governed by or subject to medical insurance requirements.
Is not affiliated with any one hospital or medical provider.
Does not charge fees for any services at home or at Hospice House.
Works in cooperation with each patient's medical provider.
- Why doesn't Hospice House and Support Care charge for it's services?
Hospice House and Support Care is a community-based, community-sponsored agency that provides an array of non-medical services that are needed by individuals and their loved ones when there is a terminal illness. These are services that do not fit neatly into “billable” hours or categories. Patients and their families have very individual needs and wishes that may not fit into “categories” nor does everyone need the same number of hours or days of care. By operating as a voluntary, volunteer-intensive organization, Hospice House and Support Care is able to approach each family on an individual basis, and families are able to select or decline services based on their particular circumstances.
- What do I need to know about admission to Hospice House?
Admission to Hospice House is facilitated through the Director of Clinical Services. Referrals are accepted from a variety of sources including individuals, physicians, home health and hospice agencies and hospital case managers. The Hospice House admission team reviews all referrals and inquiries and makes decisions based on suitability for Hospice House care, and availability of rooms, with priority given to patients with the most immediate needs. Priority is also given to existing home patients and families who have a established a relationship with Hospice Support Care.