Live Comfortably - November 1, 2024

What Is Hospice Care & How Does It Actually Work?

by Kathie Miller

Hospice care is provided to people with terminal illnesses, comforting them with physical, emotional and spiritual support at the end of life. Here’s how hospice works. Several critical services are part of hospice, including pain management, symptom control, personal care, social work services, counseling, spiritual support and 24/7 on-call nursing support.

Every year, organizations around the country take time to recognize hospice throughout the month of November. This highly specialized care is often misunderstood and stigmatized, yet it is care that can make a world of difference during some of the most delicate and intimate moments of our lives.

Many in our society consider death a taboo subject. As a result, people who are dying often feel isolated and alone. The hospice team opens that door to the patient who needs and wants to talk about death. Often, patients experience great relief and liberation once they can speak freely about their death.

At Goodwin Living, we have been providing hospice care to our residents for more than 20 years, and we have offered it to the greater Northern Virginia community, including Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church, since 2016. As we honor National Hospice Month this year, we want to address some common misconceptions about this specialized care.

The Short History of Hospice

When you consider the centuries-long history of medicine, hospice care is relatively new. This very specialized type of care was started in the 1960s, thanks to one woman, Dame Cecily Saunders. As The BMJ (British Medical Journal) shared in its obituary for Dame Saunders, she once wrote the following: “It appears that many patients feel deserted by their doctors at the end. Ideally, the doctor should remain the center of a team who work together to relieve where they cannot heal, to keep the patient’s own struggle within his compass and to bring hope and consolation to the end.”

This quote remains true for hospice care today, which involves more than just physicians. Dedicated teams of trained professionals — accredited doctors, nurses, hospice social workers, spiritual counselors, aides and volunteers — together ensure that patients, as well as their loved ones, are supported until the end.

Yet many of us underutilize the assurance and care these specially trained, compassionate professionals can offer. Why? Because there is a lack of awareness around hospice and its benefits.

Dispelling Common Myths About Hospice

Seeking hospice help is considered by many to be giving up. The hospice team, on the contrary, believes that you can live life more fully until the day you die if you are provided with physical, emotional and spiritual support.

To help foster greater understanding of hospice care and what it can do for you and your loved ones, we want to address some of the most common myths or misconceptions.

1. Hospice is a place you go to die. Hospice is not a place, it’s a philosophy of care, as we often say at Goodwin Living. One goal is to help patients live out their days where and how they wish. While there are indeed dedicated spaces where hospice care is delivered, the hospice team provides care in any setting.
2. Hospice is only for the very end of life, the final days or weeks. Patients may become eligible for hospice care once a physician has determined that life expectancy is six months or less. Studies suggest that being admitted to hospice earlier in the end-of-life process can lead to better experiences. One Harvard study found that “Family members reported excellent end-of-life care more often for patients who received hospice care for longer than three days (58.8%) than those who did not receive hospice care or received three or fewer days.”
3. You need a doctor’s referral before you consider hospice. You or your loved ones can call hospice and request an informational consultation without a physician’s referral. It is your choice to pursue this specialized care, though being admitted formally to hospice requires documentation of a terminal diagnosis and a physician’s order. The hospice team you select will ensure that your care is coordinated with your existing medical care team. Your hospice care team provides additional care, attention and support you might need so that you have more choices to live out your final days as you wish.
4. Hospice care is only about the patient. Loved ones often find themselves in the role of caregivers when someone has a terminal illness. Hospice care supports both the patient and their loved ones throughout the process. Patients will receive care that addresses pain and symptom management. In addition to special medical care, you and your loved ones alike can expect support from social workers, spiritual counselors and volunteers who are there to help. Loved ones will also receive bereavement support for 13 months after.
5. Hospice care is not covered by insurance. Medicare and most other insurance providers offer coverage for hospice care. Coverage includes paying for medication, medical equipment, medical supplies and the care team. An additional consideration for hospice patients in Northern Virginia is that Goodwin Hospice does not turn anyone away for lack of financial resources. This is one of many advantages to our non-profit hospice care model.
6. What’s the point of hospice if I’m dying anyway? At Goodwin Hospice, we strive to bring hope. We recognize that a terminal diagnosis is difficult news to process. We take time to ask “what is most important to you” as you live your final days. Our goal is your goal and we want to ensure you can still live the fullest possible life in the time that remains. Studies indicate that with certain diagnoses, those who choose hospice live longer on average another 29 days. This can mean more time with loved ones.

Comfort When We Need It Most

Goodwin Hospice care teams meet patients and their loved ones during some of the most sacred and intimate moments in their lives. And they remain there for them, 24/7, seeing them through to the end of life and continuing to support them as they process the loss. Our dedicated hospice team members help to normalize the idea that death is part of our lives, and that we can reach out to others for expert help and compassionate support when making this final journey.

As we recognize National Hospice Month, we extend our profound gratitude to those who provide this type of care, especially our colleagues with accredited Goodwin Hospice.

At Goodwin Hospice, we take a comprehensive approach to end-of-life care. As a not-for-profit hospice organization, we provide Medicare-certified hospice services to patients 18 and older who are eligible for hospice because of a terminal illness. Whether it’s in a private home, senior living community or healthcare facility, Goodwin Hospice offers this specialized care throughout the Northern Virginia area.

Why You Should Choose Goodwin Hospice Care Services

When it comes to hospice care services, Goodwin Hospice is the best possible choice to serve as your provider. Our goal is to provide simply the highest-quality, patient-centered care to our hospice patients and their loved ones. And it shows — Goodwin Hospice received a 4-star rating from Medicare.gov in the February 2024 quarterly Care Compare Care Quality Report. As the highest rating in the hospice category for Northern Virginia, we’re extremely proud to offer this level of end-of-life care.

Goodwin Hospice is able to deliver the most compassionate Medicare-certified care available because of our top-ranked team of hospice care providers who have extensive training and years of experience. From physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses to licensed clinical social workers, spiritual counselors and bereavement counselors, our team delivers comprehensive care when you need it most. And we couldn’t do it without our wide network of dedicated hospice aides and volunteers to support the rest of the team. It’s a synergy that’s unmatched, and patients can tell they’re receiving only the best in hospice care.

Because Goodwin Hospice believes everyone has the right to die with comfort and dignity, we go above and beyond to ensure this exceptional end-of-life care. In addition to pain management and symptom control, personal care, social work services, counseling and spiritual support, and 24/7 on-call nursing support, Goodwin Hospice offers several complimentary additional services. These include our friendly visitor volunteers, pet companionship, end-of-life doulas, end-of-life massage therapy and visits from Threshold Choir singers.

Common Questions About Hospice Care

What services does hospice care cover?

At Goodwin Living, hospice services include pain management and symptom control, personal care, social work services, counseling and spiritual support and 24/7 on-call nursing support. We also offer complimentary additional services, including visitor volunteers, pet companionship, end-of-life doulas, massage therapy and visits from Threshold Choir singers.

Who is eligible for hospice care services?

Hospice is designed for individuals 18 and older with terminal illnesses, typically with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Does hospice always include 24-hour care?

Goodwin Hospice always includes on-call nursing support around the clock for any needs that may arise.

Can I receive hospice services in my own home?

Yes, you can receive at-home hospice care so that you can be comfortable and surrounded by loved ones in your remaining days.

How much does hospice care typically cost?

Because hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans, the cost of hospice care should not be a concern.

Does Medicare cover hospice care services?

Yes. Goodwin Hospice is Medicare-certified and fully covered under Medicare.

How long does Medicare pay for hospice?

Medicare covers hospice for two 90-day benefit periods, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods. For each benefit period, you and your doctor are required to recertify that you are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less.

Do nonprofits provide better quality hospice care?

One substantial benefit to our Goodwin Hospice non-profit hospice care model is that we do not turn anyone away for lack of financial resources.

How should I go about picking the right hospice care organization?

Some things to consider when choosing a hospice care organization is checking their Medicare certification, accreditation status, reputation, staff expertise and services offered. You should also examine how well the organization aligns with your personal preferences and values.

Contact Goodwin Hospice

Questions? We’re happy to help. Feel free to contact us at 703.578.7108 or HospiceReferrals@GoodwinLiving.org to ask any questions or get more details about Goodwin Hospice.