Frequently Asked Questions
We’re bringing answers home.
Hospice FAQ
What is hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of high-quality, compassionate care for anyone of any age who has a life-limiting illness and does not want any more curative treatment. It provides dignity, choice and comfort so what remains of life can be lived to its fullest. Hospice care also provides a great deal of support for family members in the form of physical, emotional and spiritual assistance.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is designed to maximize the quality of life for patients with advanced or life-limiting illness. Hospice is a form of palliative care, but hospice is for those who don’t want to continue curative treatment. At Hospice Atlanta, our palliative care is called the Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program and it combines active and compassionate therapies to compliment the patient’s medical care.
What’s the difference between home healthcare, hospice care and private home care?
Home Healthcare is quite like it sounds. It is medical attention provided by skilled professionals that takes place in the comfort and convenience of your own home. The care comes to you rather than you having to travel to a hospital or clinic. Home healthcare is coordinated by a licensed, qualified organization and may involve the services of nurses, therapists, clinicians and sometimes even social workers providing non-medical support. It is a service ordered by a physician for patients who may be recovering from a surgery, illness or injury or for those facing chronic illness.
Hospice care is a philosophy of high-quality, compassionate care for anyone of any age who has a life-limiting illness and does not want any more curative treatment. It provides dignity, choice and comfort so what remains of life can be lived to its fullest. Hospice care also provides a great deal of support for family members in the form of physical, emotional and spiritual assistance.
Private Home Care provides care that concentrates on activities of daily living that including live in senior care, personal care, household/chore services, and transportation. These are all things that allow us to remain independent and in our homes.
Where does hospice care take place?
Hospice Atlanta provides hospice services in the comfort and ease of the patient’s home, wherever that may be, including an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Can I receive hospice care in an assisted living or nursing home?
Yes. Our skilled and intuitive team can also provide care in an assisted living or nursing home or any other living situation.
How does hospice work?
A family member is usually the primary caregiver and assists with making care decisions for the patient. Together the family/primary caregiver and hospice team collaborate to create an overall plan that includes treatment, support, personal care, and a number of specialized services for the patient and their family.
When is the right time to involve hospice?
It is always the family’s choice, but the right time may be when the patient’s prognosis is life-limiting (six months or less) and the patient is ready to stop curative treatment.
How can someone get started with hospice care?
To begin hospice care with Hospice Atlanta please give us a call us at (404) 869-3000. We will work with the patient’s physician to confirm hospice care is appropriate at this time.
Does the hospice patient need someone with them at all times?
No. It is not required that someone be with the hospice patient at all times during the earlier stages. During the later stages of care however, it is recommended.
In order to care for a hospice patient at home how many family members/friends will be needed to assist?
When our hospice team develops your care plan they will be able to determine if additional home help from family and friends is necessary. If the patient has extra help from family and friends or not, our staff will visit the home regularly and be available to answer questions and provide support.
Is it difficult to care for a dying loved one at home?
When caring for a dying loved one in the home comes with a lot of changes that be challenging. Some have found it stressful or exhausting especially during the night. Our hospice team is available 24/7 for support when needed.
How much does hospice care cost?
Hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance.
What hospice services are covered under Medicare/Medicaid benefits?
These benefits cover most everything:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Certified nursing assistants
- Chaplains
- Bereavement counselors
- Medical equipment (hospital beds, oxygen, wheelchairs, etc.)
- Medications for pain and symptom control
- Other medications may also be covered
If the situation improves, can the patient leave hospice?
Of course. If the patient’s condition improves, they can return to their regular medical care. And the patient can return back to hospice, as well, as many times as necessary.
Can a hospice patient go to a hospital?
Yes. Patients always have the right to go to the hospital. But there is the possibility it will change the patient’s hospice status. In most cases, an emergency transfer to a hospital is not part of a hospice plan unless it is unrelated to the terminal diagnosis (e.g., a fractured hip, a blood clot). If the patient needs to go to the hospital, the hospice case manager should be immediately notified. The hospice team will work with the family in determining the next steps in the plan of care.
Does hospice speed up dying?
Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the process of dying. Hospice care just manages symptoms and discomfort for the best quality of life and to minimize suffering.
What kind of pain management can hospice provide?
Hospice Atlanta nurses have access to and are experts in most state-of-the-art pain and symptom relief. And because an illness also brings on emotional and spiritual pain, we provide counselors and chaplains, as well.
Will medications prevent a hospice patient from being able to talk or know what’s happening?
Not usually. When a patient is in hospice, it is the goal to help them live as actively as possible with little to no pain or discomfort.
Can the patient keep their regular physician when in hospice care?
Yes. Hospice is an extension of the regular medical care. We can also provide a medical doctor, if needed.
Does Hospice Atlanta support the family after the patient is gone?
Yes. Families and friends are supported for at least one year after a loved one’s passing and even longer than that if needed. If you are in need of bereavement support, our Bereavement Coordinators are available by phone (404) 869-3000 for grief support and counseling during regular business hours Monday-Friday.
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Hospice Atlanta was proud to be out in the community today at JenCare Riverdale’s Patient Appreciation Event!
Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is proud to partner with JenCare, bringing care, education and resources to our Atlanta communities, and working together to improve patients` quality of life, through both Palliative Care and Hospice programs.
Through these dynamic partnerships, we help our communities thrive, by allowing us to move beyond simply providing services, truly making a difference through quality healthcare and better results for the patients and families we serve.
#ValueBasedCare #ACO #PatientCenteredCare #PalliativeCare #HospiceCare #CommunityHealth #HealthcarePartnerships #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #JenCare
At Visiting Nurse, the work we do is mission-driven.
Every visit, every conversation and every act of care is an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life and to serve our community when it matters most.
This Labor Day, we’re grateful for our employees who keep moving forward, showing up and making a difference every day.
Thank you for all you do.
#LaborDay #MissionDriven #visitingnursehealthsystem #HealthcareHeroes #ServingOurCommunity See less
At Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta, we’re honored to care for the veterans in our community, recognizing not only their healthcare needs, but the lives, sacrifices and service that shaped who they are.
From bringing compassionate care into their home, we’re committed to making sure those who served our country are treated with the dignity, respect and gratitude they deserve.
We are honored to serve those who served. 🇺🇸
#Veterans #HonoringVeterans #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #VeteransCare #CommunityCare
💫 Camp STARS 2026 is almost here! ⭐️
Our volunteers are getting ready for a wonderful weekend of connection, laughter, support and memories with our bereaved families this November.
Camp is nearly full, and we can’t wait to welcome our 2026 STARS! ⭐️✨
#CampSTARS #HospiceAtlanta #BereavementSupport #CommunityOfCare #VolunteersWhoCare
We’re grateful when patients and families share their experience with Hospice Atlanta. Their stories not only encourage our team, but can also help other families feel more confident as they consider hospice care for someone they love.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.
#hospiceatlanta#hospicecare#ourwhy#CompassionateCare
Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month!
Geraldine has been part of the Visiting Nurse Health System family for nearly a decade, bringing dedication, care and commitment to the work she does every day.
We’re grateful for all you do, Geraldine! 👏💙
#EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamVNHS #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareHeroes
Visiting Nurse`s Palliative Care program focuses on comfort, quality of life and support for people living with serious illness, while helping patients and families navigate their care.
Learn more about Palliative Care through Visiting Nurse Health System and how our team can help.
#palliativecare#visitingnursehealthsystem#qualityoflife#CompassionateCare
We’re back with the second installment of our Hospice Myth or Fact series to help our patients, families and our community better understand hospice care and the support available when it’s needed most.
Have a question about hospice? Hospice Atlanta is here to help, because knowing the facts can make all the difference.
Our team is available to answer questions, provide guidance and help families understand navigate care options.
#HospiceMythOrFact #HospiceAtlanta #HospiceCare #HereToHelp #CompassionateCare
Aging Better starts with a community that cares!
Our Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta Home Health and Hospice teams were proud to be part of the Aging Better Expo, hosted by our valued healthcare partner, Kaiser Permanente.
The event brought seniors and community partners together for a day focused on health, wellness, resources and connections that help older adults live and age well in their homes!
Great event connecting one-on-one with seniors, answering questions, sharing information about our full care continuum filled with services to help seniors age in place.
We’re grateful to Kaiser Permanente and all the organizations working together to care for Atlanta’s growing senior community. When we come together, we make our community stronger by bringing information, resources and connection to our seniors to thrive at home.
#agingbetterexpo#kaiserpermanente#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta#homehealth#seniorcare#AtlantaCommunity#CommunityCare
Grateful for strong community partnerships that help build strong nonprofit leadership.
For the past five years, OnBoard has been an important pipeline for recruiting talented, committed leaders to the Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta Board of Directors. Their work has helped us connect with individuals who bring fresh perspectives, valuable expertise, and a genuine commitment to our mission.
We’ve seen that impact firsthand. Mel Coker, now in her first term as Board Chair, came to our board through OnBoard and stepped into the chair role following Nicole Hart’s successful completion of her term. And now, we are excited to welcome Amy Katnik as the newest leader joining our board through the OnBoard pipeline.
Strong organizations need strong governance, and strong governance starts with finding the right people who are willing to serve.
Thank you, OnBoard, for five years of partnership and for helping Visiting Nurse Health System continue to strengthen the leadership around our board table. We are grateful for the partnership and excited about the leaders still to come.
#OnBoard #BoardLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #Governance #CommunityLeadership #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta
Today, we celebrate the people who came before us. ❤️
The ones who raised families.
Built communities.
Worked hard.
Loved deeply.
Weathered challenges.
And left a little wisdom behind for the generations that followed.
On Senior Citizens Day, we honor the older adults who have shaped our families and our communities, and remind ourselves that growing older should always come with dignity, respect, connection and care.
Here’s to the stories, memories, lessons and legacies that make every generation matter.
Happy Senior Citizens Day!
#SeniorCitizensDay #CelebrateSeniors #LegacyOfCare #AgingWithDignity #EveryGeneration
As we close out the month, we`d like to acknowledge each and every day, the dedicated team members of Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta make a difference in the lives of patients and families across our community. From nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, therapists, administrative staff, care coordinators to our incredible volunteers, each person plays an important role in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Thank you for your expertise, dedication, and commitment to those we serve. We are grateful for all that you do.
#HealthcareHeroes #HospiceCare #HomeHealth #CommunityCare #Teamwork #VisitingNurse #HospiceAtlanta
