Common Questions About Hospice

Hospice is not just for patients in the last days or weeks of life. In fact, it is designed to support people with life-limiting conditions for the last six months of life. The sooner an eligible patient is admitted, the sooner the care team can begin effectively treating symptoms and managing pain. Caregivers and family members also benefit from the support provided by the team.

People are often eligible for hospice when they are facing the end stage of a serious or chronic illness, their health status is declining, or their disease is progressing and not responding to curative treatments.

If you have questions about hospice or eligibility for services, please contact us for more information. We can speak to you and your family about how our services can help.

The team is led by a hospice registered nurse (RN) case manager and may also include a hospice medical director, hospice nurse practitioner, home health aides, medical social workers, grief and spiritual counselors, volunteers, and physical/occupational/speech therapists.

Hospice is a service, not a place. Most patients prefer to remain at home and the team will do everything they can to make that happen. Care can be provided in the patient’s or family member’s home, a nursing home, senior apartment, assisted living or residential hospice facility.

General Inpatient (GIP) Care is for patients who cannot comfortably remain in a residential setting and require skilled nursing care around the clock to maintain comfort.

While SSM Health at Home successfully manages pain and symptoms at home for the vast majority of our hospice patients, there are times when GIP care is the best short-term solution. In these rare cases, the individual may be eligible for a short-term, general inpatient level of care.

GIP can be provided in a Medicare-certified hospice, hospital, or skilled nursing facility that meets the conditions of providing inpatient care. SSM Health at Home has partnered with many community facilities for GIP care.

There may come a time while on hospice services that a patient’s caregivers need a break. Caregiver stress can lead to physical and emotional distress that can interfere with the ability to provide care.

Respite care can provide temporary, short-term assistance in caring for a hospice patient to allow caregivers time to emotionally recharge and become better prepared to handle the normal day-to-day challenges of caregiving.

Respite care comes in many forms and at a variety of locations; SSM Health at Home has partnered with many community facilities for respite care.

Palliative care is a type of care focused on helping people facing chronic or life-limiting conditions manage symptoms, pain, and stress. Eligibility for palliative care is not dependent on life expectancy and can be provided at the same time as curative or life-prolonging treatment. Learn more about how SSM Health’s palliative care services can help.

For more information about the care SSM Health at Home's hospice program can provide, download our Hospice Care Guide.

The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the services provided by the hospice care team. The benefit also pays for many types of home and medical equipment. Medications related to the terminal illness are generally covered when approved by the team. Many HMOs and private insurance companies also provide coverage for hospice services. Our staff can assist in determining coverage.