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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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
Stories like these remind us why we do what we do. Every day, Visiting Nurse Home Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is honored to help patients regain strength, independence, and honor life`s journey with peace, confidence and dignity, at every stage of life, in the comfort of home.
#HomeHealth #hospiceatlanta #PatientExperience #visitingnursehealthsystem #CareAtHome #HealthcareHeroes
Connecting with our community is at the heart of what we do. From senior citizen fairs, Veteran Patient Pinning ceremonies, medical doctors offices and hospital education days, to community education events, the Visiting Nurse teams are out across Georgia, every day, building relationships, sharing resources, and helping connect patients to the care they need.
We`re proud to partner with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and families to increase awareness of home health, hospice and community-based services, ensuring more individuals can access quality care where they are most comfortable, at home.
#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #Veterans #HomeHealth #CommunityOutreach #HealthcareEducation #AtlantaHealthcare #CareAtHome
Each day our Community Care program case managers and nurses partner with care providers across Georgia to help nursing home-eligible seniors and vulnerable adults remain safe, independent, and supported at home.
Through our Community Care Programs, CCSP, SOURCE, and HCBS, our clients and members receive the essential services and care coordination that improve their quality of life and support aging in place.
Thank you to our state-wide network provider partners, community supporters, and our dedicated care teams who make this important work possible every day.
#VisitingNurse #CommunityCare #CCSP #SOURCE #HCBP #CaseManagement #AgingInPlace #GeorgiaSeniors
This month, the Hospice Atlanta team was proud to sponsor the ASCNN monthly gathering of senior care professionals. Events like these provide valuable opportunities to network, collaborate, and share resources that help us better serve seniors and their families throughout Georgia.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a well-attended morning of connection, education, and partnership. Together, we can make an even greater impact in the communities we serve.
#HospiceAtlanta #CommunityPartnerships #SeniorCare #HealthcareNetworking #GeorgiaSeniors
Advocacy for quality hospice care extends beyond the bedside. Behind the scenes, here at Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta we strive to protect patients, uphold ethical standards, and ensure access to compassionate end-of-life care for those who need it most.
We`re proud to see Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta Palliative Care and Hospice Atlanta Executive Director Natasha Fowlks featured in this article discussing CMS` efforts to combat fraud and strengthen hospice oversight in Georgia and Ohio.
#advocacy #ElderCare #SeniorLiving #hospice #quality
