Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about hospice services from our patients and families. If you don’t see your question answered, contact us at 864-560-CARE.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for patients at end-of-life and their families. We offer nursing and physician visits, pain and symptom management, bereavement services, support groups, individual counseling, assistance with putting affairs in order, help with errands and housekeeping, and much more.
When should I start thinking about hospice care?
If you or a loved one has a life-limiting illness, now is the time to start a discussion about hospice. We know this conversation is difficult, but the sooner you are referred to hospice, the sooner we can offer supportive services to improve your quality of life so you can make the most of your time.
Where can I receive hospice care?
We provide hospice care to patients where they live (at home, in a nursing home or in a long-term care facility) or at our hospice home.
When can I start receiving hospice care?
After we receive a referral, someone on our team will follow up to schedule a consultation. After that, care usually begins within one to two days, or sooner for more urgent situations.
Who is part of the hospice team?
Your care will be handled by a multidisciplinary team. Together with you and your family, the team will form a plan of care. Your team includes:
- Attending physician: You may choose your current family physician to direct your care or you may choose one of our hospice physicians. This physician will write orders for medications, assess medical needs and oversee your medical care. Your admissions nurse can answer any questions you may have regarding your attending physician.
- Registered nurse/case manager: A registered nurse (RN)/case manager will assess your physical status and will manage your symptoms, communicating regularly with you, your family, your attending physician and the rest of the hospice team.
- Personal care technician/hospice aide: A hospice aide will assist with your personal care needs.
- Medical social worker: A social worker assists with forming advanced directives or a healthcare power of attorney. Social workers are an important resource for you and your family in seeking community resources, including finding financial assistance or nursing home placement. Your social worker provides emotional support and grief counseling as well.
- Chaplain/spiritual counselor: The chaplain makes regular visits and is available for on-call visits during a crisis. The chaplain can conduct funerals or memorial services, or help you contact your own clergy. Chaplain services will always respect your own personal faith and beliefs.
- Volunteer services: Volunteers are available for companionship and for sitter services while your caregiver takes a break. A volunteer also may be able to help run some errands, prepare a light meal or handle other essential tasks. The volunteer coordinator can help set up these services. Call 864-560-5636 for more information.
- Dietary counseling: Dietary counseling may be provided by a dietitian or nurse. Speak to your nurse to request these services.
- Continuous home care: Nurses and other members of your healthcare team will provide care in your home short-term during a crisis. Your family can request this help through your case manager.
- Durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies: Your nurse/case manager can arrange for necessary equipment and supplies through our contracts with certain vendors.
When are hospice services available?
If your loved one under hospice care experiences any of the following at any time, call Spartanburg Regional Hospice first at 864-560-3900:
- Pain that is not responsive to medication
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- New onset of agitation or restlessness
- Falls where a possible injury has occurred
- Emergency department visit
- Uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding
- Unconsciousness
Call about the following during the office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday:
- Lab or bloodwork results
- Medication refills
- Questions about visitation
- Supply needs, such as diapers or bed pads
- Temporary care outside the home
- Transportation to a doctor visit
It is important to call hospice first. Not calling hospice first could result in a non-hospice-covered expense. The backup phone number for hospice is for Spartanburg Medical Center.
Are all hospice agencies the same?
No. What sets Spartanburg Regional Hospice apart from other agencies is the fact that we are a not-for-profit program, we offer a special hospice hospital called the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. We also provide access to the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System network, we provide family-centered care, and we have a dedicated, multidisciplinary team ready to assist you and your family 24/7.
Will my medical record be part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Epic electronic medical records?
Yes, one of the benefits of receiving care from Spartanburg Regional Hospice is having access to the network of services provided by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. As part of this, your records will be stored in our Epic electronic medical records system, allowing our medical staff and your other physicians to easily access your medical records.
Will hospice pay for my medications and supplies?
We provide hospice services regardless of your ability to pay. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, workers’ compensation and private insurance. We also offer financial assistance through the Spartanburg Regional Foundation Special Needs Fund. Learn more about paying for hospice.
Can I change my mind after I’ve decided to receive hospice care?
Yes, you can elect at any time to discontinue hospice care.
If I go into hospice care, am I giving up hope?
Not at all. We find that patients who go into hospice experience a greater quality of life and in some cases, a longer life than those who do not receive hospice care at the end of life. When you choose hospice care, you have access to an entire team who are dedicated to supporting your health and life goals, and can maximize your quality of life and time with loved ones.
Can I self-refer or do I have to wait for physician?
You can self-refer to our hospice program. Additionally, anyone – including physicians and other health professionals, family members, friends, co-workers or spiritual advisors – can refer patients to Spartanburg Regional Hospice.
To refer yourself or a loved one, call 864-560-CARE.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Hospice care is designed specifically for people at the end of life. Palliative care is symptom management and can be offered as part of hospice care or as part of curative treatment for someone not in hospice.
Palliative care includes pain and symptom management, as well as support for caregivers. Palliative care can help a patient at any stage of a serious illness, even as early as the time of diagnosis.
Palliative care may be as simple as a consultation at the time of diagnosis and as comprehensive as traditional hospice care during the final phases of a serious illness. Hospice is the most comprehensive and well-known form of palliative care.
If I live for more than six months, will hospice discharge me?
No. Each patient and his or her prognosis is unique. Spartanburg Regional Hospice physicians and staff work to ensure the right care at the right time is provided. If a patient has a change in prognosis at any time, the hospice team will communicate the information and assist in discharge planning when appropriate.
Will I stop taking all of my medications when I enter hospice?
The hospice physician (and/or your primary care provider) along with the hospice team will work with you to develop a plan of care. Medication management will be included in the plan to ensure patients receive the appropriate care.
Some medications that are for curative purposes may be discontinued as the patient elects the hospice benefit.
How will medications be used to help with pain?
You will be asked about your pain and other symptoms by the care team during their visits. Be honest with them – working together will ensure the best management of your care.
Things to remember:
- It may not be possible to be pain-free.
- It will be our goal to get your pain to an acceptable level.
- The best way to control pain is to prevent it – you will be encouraged to take your prescribed pain medication regularly, rather than waiting until it is really bad.
- It is normal to experience mild drowsiness following the first 1-3 days after a narcotic pain medication is prescribed and whenever a dose is increased.
- Fighting pain is exhausting, you will feel better and sleep better when it is controlled.
- Morphine is no longer a “last resort” medication; it is easy to use, easy to change and usually found to be the best relief.
- Many times, your physician will prescribe a scheduled pain medication and also a “break-through” pain medication. This is a means of maintaining a constant dose.
- If you become unable to swallow, your nurse will contact your physician for another administration route such as rectal, under the tongue, skin patches, and intravenous.
- To prevent common side effects, your nurse and physician will suggest other medications such as laxatives, anti-nausea medications and antihistamines.
