Helpful Information About Hospice Care

When some people hear the word "hospice" they may think it is a place where you "go", or that fulltime hospice caregivers are available through the hospice Medicare benefit.

We've developed more FAQs to clarify more Hospice Care information for you and your loved ones.

Hospice FAQ

Does Hospice Provide Full-Time Caregiving?

Hospice does not provide full-time caregiving. Hospice staff will visit intermittently; the frequency of visits is determined by the assessment of the patient's clinical needs (which may change throughout the time on service). A nursing visit occurs at least biweekly, and typically visits from all members of the hospice team increase as end-of-life gets closer. Patients and their caregivers are able to contact their hospice care team by phone Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. if they have questions or needs between scheduled visits. There is also on-call nurse support available 24 hours per day for more urgent needs. The hospice social worker is a resource to offer practical and emotional support while patients and families determine a full-time caregiving plan.

Does Hospice Cover "Room and Board" Expenses?

Hospice does not cover expenses related to housing, food, or room and board. Individuals must cover these costs either through private payment or through Medicaid (if they qualify). If you or your loved one resides at a facility, it is important to work with facility staff to determine how starting hospice may impact you or your loved one's expenses.

What if Symptoms Cannot Be Managed Well At Home?

If more intensive medical care is needed, the care team may suggest a short-term stay at EvergreenHealth's Gene and Irene Wockner Hospice Care Center, which is just east of EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland, WA. The center is a 15-bed in-patient facility for individuals on hospice service who have complex medical needs or whose symptoms need 24-hour care and management requiring hospital level of care. Stays at the HCC are meant to be short-term until symptoms subside or are better managed.

We've also developed a printer-friendly informational flyer: Helpful Information When Considering Hospice.