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 continu