FAQ

I don’t have cancer. Can I receive Hospice care? Hospice of Holland provides treatment to anyone regardless of type of illness. The only criteria for Hospice care are: a physician has estimated that the patient’s life expectancy is 6 months or less if the disease runs its normal course, the patient and family have decided to forgo any additional curative treatment and instead choose to focus on comfort, and the patient has chosen hospice care.

Does Hospice of Holland do anything to hasten death? No, Hospice of Holland simply provides pain relief and comfort while an illness runs its natural course. Hospice also helps patients and their loved ones understand the dying process. Hospice of Holland sees death as a natural part of life and seeks to lend support and expertise to patients and families during the dying process.

Do I have to change doctors? No, Hospice of Holland communicates regularly with your physician to develop a plan of care.

What is the role of the Medical Director? Our medical director is available to support your physician and the Hospice Team or to become the primary physician to those without a physician.

How does Hospice manage pain? Our skilled nurses are experts in pain management and, in cooperation with the patient’s physician, use the latest medications and treatments. We also use a compounding pharmacy that is able to create patches, gels and other less intrusive means of giving medication. Patients may also have access to non-medical techniques for pain management. By providing this care in addition to emotional and spiritual counseling, Hospice of Holland works to help patients maintain quality of life for as long as possible.

Will I become addicted to pain medications? Studies have shown that addiction rarely occurs with use of narcotic pain-relievers. Addiction is defined as a psychological dependence that is exhibited by compulsive drug use and a continued craving for the drug causing loss of control and inability to stop use, despite the harmful effect.

Usually when there is a need for increased medication at the end of life it is related to pain associated with physical progression of the disease. Pain relievers in the amount that is needed for the pain, regardless of the amount, will not result in addiction.

In case of any questions, nursing staff make weekly visits and are available 24 hours a day to address any concerns or changing needs.

What if I live longer than six months but still need Hospice care? When a doctor determines that life expectancy is not expected to exceed six months if the disease is allowed to run its normal course, Hospice can be made available. As long as the doctor verifies that life expectancy continues to be six months or less, Hospice services will continue to be provided.

What if my condition improves or I no longer meet the criteria for Hospice? When a doctor believes life expectancy to be greater than six months or the patient’s condition stabilizes, the patient will be discharged from hospice care but Hospice of Holland may provide limited follow-up as the patient desires.

What if I change my mind? A patient can choose to stop Hospice care at any time.

Can I travel? Hospice programs communicate with one another to make sure that traveling patients have similar care available at the travel destination and that needs and treatment preferences are known and met wherever the patient is.

Is Hospice of Holland affiliated with any religious organizations? Hospice of Holland defines spirituality in a much broader context than just religion and strives to meet people’s spiritual needs, however they define them. Hospice is not based on any specific religious organization and does not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.

Does Hospice of Holland provide any support to the family after the patient dies? Hospice of Holland provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for 13 months following the death of a loved one. Hospice of Holland also provides specialized bereavement programs and services for the community at large.

What are the qualifications of Hospice staff to meet the variety of needs of patients and their families? All team members meet appropriate degree and/or licensure standards of the state of Michigan and of federal program requirements for Medicare. In addition, our skilled nurses are experts in pain management, and our entire staff is experienced in working with dying patients and their loved ones, and in caring for people in a variety of settings.

Why would a patient choose Hospice care? There are many reasons why a patient chooses hospice care. Hospice care is specialized for those facing terminal illness and Hospice of Holland is committed to ensuring quality of life for those patients. Hospice care also gives patients and caregivers a sense of control over the care given and with Hospice of Holland; the desires of the patient and family are always given top consideration. Last but not least, Hospice of Holland’s skilled nurses are experts in pain and symptom control, thereby making it more possible for patients to live their life to the fullest.

Do I have to give up hope? Often, people associate hospice care with giving up hope. But, when faced with end-of-life issues, hopes can change. Patients often realize new hopes, hope for time with loved ones, hope for watching sunsets on the front porch, hope for long talks, hope for pain-free days, hope for dignity. With Hospice of Holland, these are hopes that can become reality.

Do I have to wait for my doctor to offer Hospice as an option? Many doctors are very open to suggesting Hospice care but some have difficulty offering it as an option. Because they are trained to fight disease, some physicians want to fight terminal illness to the very end. As a patient, you must decide what is right for you. If you think that Hospice may be appropriate, please contact us. We can provide you with the information that you need to make an informed decision. If you decide that Hospice care is the right choice for you, Hospice of Holland will communicate regularly with your physician to develop your plan of care.