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Common Hospice Care Questions

The process of starting hospice can be daunting, but the comfort and benefits it provide far outweigh the short time it takes to familiarize oneself with its offerings.

Hospice can be suggested based on either the advancement of a specific ongoing condition or due to an individual’s general decline in health. An assessment for care can be initiated by either a doctor’s recommendation or a family’s request. The information in this section addresses the most common questions about hospice, and more can be found on our Hospice FAQ Page.

What is Hospice?

In simplest terms, hospice is a type of care focused on providing comfort for a patient with a terminal condition that has less than six months to live. In practice, hospice seeks to provide comfort using a multidisciplinary team to support the patient and their family during this challenging time. This approach includes a clinical team that sees to the patient’s physical comfort through medication and various other palliative (comfort-based) treatments, and a spiritual/mental support team that helps the patient and their family make the best of their remaining time and prepare for the eventuality of death and its aftermath.

Watch Dr. Jason Abney, Medical Director at Silverado Orange County Hospice, explain the basics of hospice care’s intentions and services.

When is it time for hospice?

The option for hospice should be a serious consideration when a patient’s life expectancy is limited and they or their loved ones decide comfort and dignity are the ideal goals, though it is good to start the conversation before an illness reaches this stage. In terms of the patient’s well being, Hospice is best considered when quality of life is lessened due to an ongoing state of care or treatment that is not projected to help the patient live any longer or more comfortably.

The answer is different for each patient and their family, but in simplest terms, the option of hospice should be weighed when quality of life outweighs quantity of life.
What is covered under hospice?

Visits from the hospice team, both clinical and spiritual support, are included. The costs associated with most medications and therapies that relieve pain and provide comfort are covered as a part of hospice. Certain supplies and equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and others, are also provided under hospice coverage.
Who pays for hospice?

Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by most individual insurers. The Medicare hospice benefit is available to patients that have a terminal prognosis of six-months or less. Additionally, most medications and therapies that relieve pain and provide comfort are covered as a part of the Medicare hospice benefit.

Hospice services can actually remove some financial burden families or responsible parties face, who may otherwise need to pay out-of-pocket for medications or equipment like beds or wheelchairs.
Who provides hospice care?
By providing personalized medical, social and spiritual care, our hospice team gives patients a chance to experience life to the fullest and allow their families a chance to create cherished memories.
- Attending Physician: Oversees medical care and prescriptions to manage pain and symptoms (may also be the medical director)
- Hospice Medical Directors: Liaison between the attending physician, patient and family who also provides information and insight into the patient’s needs
- Social Worker: Advises patients and families when needed, develops and integrated care plan based on emotional, physical, social and financial needs, and assists with bereavement support after a loved one has passed
- Spiritual Counselor: Draws on the beliefs and values of patients and families to cope with the spiritual aspects of illness and loss. Can assist with specific religious needs and lead memorial services.
- Volunteers: Offer support for all non-medical needs such as providing companionship and socialization, running errands and assisting with family needs.
- Hospice Aides (CNA/CHHA): Provide personal care to each patient, reports any changes in need and offers comfort measures as directed.
- RN Case Manager: Responsible for coordinating all aspects of the integrated plan for patient care while overseeing symptom control, pain management and as-needed administering of medications.

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Why choose Silverado Hospice for my loved one?

The creation of Silverado Hospice was inspired when our nurses saw an unfilled need for end of life care that truly addressed all possible needs of the mind, body and spirit. In 2004 this inspiration became a reality and Silverado began using our unique and innovative approach to provide hospice care.

What we believe

We believe that understanding and taking to heart all aspects of an individual — their needs, interests, beliefs, personality, etc. — is the only way to truly achieve the high levels of care that are our goal.

Unmatched clinical excellence

Silverado Hospice’s clinical practices are second to none, offering unique features such as a dedicated physician medical director to oversee care, specialized teams with experience in specific diseases and more.

It all starts with compassion

From our philosophy of personalizing care for each unique patient to our care practices and associate hiring and training, there is only one goal – to make the last days of life as comfortable and dignified as possible.