How we help
Hospice is care that is usually delivered at home or in a home-like setting to persons in the final phase of a terminal illness. It neither hastens nor postpones death, but affirms life, emphasizing quality, not length. Hospice empowers patients to live with dignity, alert and pain-free, while involving families and loved ones in giving care.
SouthEast Hospice’s mission is to provide the highest quality of compassionate care to patients and their families who are facing a life threatening illness.
Care designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness and focus on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure. The goal is to enable patients to be comfortable and free of pain, so that they live each day as fully as possible. Aggressive methods of pain control may be used. The philosophy of hospice is to provide support for the patient’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well as medical symptoms as part of treating the whole person.
Hospice is care that is usually delivered at home or in a home-like setting to persons in the final phase of a terminal illness. It neither hastens nor postpones death, but affirms life, emphasizing quality, not length. Hospice empowers patients to live with dignity, alert and pain-free, while involving families and loved ones in giving care.
A patient that has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectance of 6 months or less if the disease runs its normal course.
Many people think that hospice care means everyone has given up. Because of this misconception, many people’s loved ones miss out on the benefits of hospice care. It can be difficult knowing when to schedule a hospice evaluation. Some signs that may indicate potential eligibility for hospice care are:
- Unplanned weight loss
- Multiple ER or hospital visits/stays
- Difficulty breathing, even at rest or with increased oxygen levels
- Weakness during activities of daily living
- Frequent changes in medications
- Pain that is poorly controlled
- Loss of interest in activities
- Not “bouncing back” after an illness
- Not responding to current treatments or therapy
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Infections
- Trouble sleeping due to pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms
Hospice care is covered through Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for patients and/or their families for services related to the hospice diagnosis when covered through Medicare/Medicaid.
SouthEast Hospice has a Registered Nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for questions, concerns, medications, supplies or a visit if needed.