FAQs
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our hospice care services… and ask your own.
Hospice Care FAQs
Read through these hospice FAQs, and feel free to submit your own questions in the form at the bottom of this page.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care provides quality of life and comfort to patients who have stopped agressive medical treatments for terminal illnesses. Hospice allows patients to be free from pain, while allowing them to spend their remaining time with loved ones.
When do you know it's time for hospice?
Typically, it is time for hospice when a patient’s physician gives a prognosis of six months or less to live, and medical tratements are no longer effective in curing the disease. At this point, the patient’s care is no longer in the hands of disease specialists, and is transferred to a hospice care team.
Where is your hospice care located?
Our hospice care is located wherever the patient considers “home” – whether this is in a family home, an assisted living facility or in a nursing home.
Who qualifies for hospice care at Hospice of Limestone County?
Most terminally ill patients in Limestone County are eligible for our hospice care. The following criteria must be met:
The patient is a resident of Limestone County, Alabama.
The patient has a lifetime measure of weeks or months (not years).
The patient has the participation of his or her physician.
Who is on the hospice care team?
The hospice care team is interdisciplinary. It is made up of doctors, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers who are trained to provide the highest quality of life in a patient’s final months and days.
What services do you provide?
Hospice of Limestone County provides hospice care, social services, spiritual support and grief support for patients and their families.
When are services available?
Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. On-call nurses are available for emergencies.
What do your hospice volunteers do?
Hospice of Limestone County volunteers provide the link between patients and the agency. Our volunteers communicate with patients and family members, and know the unique needs of each person involved.
How much does hospice care cost?
Most private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid offer a hospice benefit. Hospice of Limestone County accepts patients based on need, not their ability to pay.
Does using hospice mean I'm giving up on my loved one?
Not at all. Putting your loved one into hospice care means that you want them to have the highest quality of life possible during their remaining time.
Will my family still be able to make decisions for the patient if they are in hospice care?
Yes. Families play a key role in decision making in hospice care.
Who will keep me informed about how my loved one is doing in hospice?
Your primary hospice nurse will keep you informed about your loved one’s condition at all times.
How are you keeping patients, their families and your staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please call us at 256-232-5017 for our most up-to-date COVID-19 information. You can also send us a message here.
I'm not in Athens, Alabama. Where can I find hospice care near me?
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