Frequently Asked Questions

When is the right time to ask about hospice?
Now is the best time to learn more about hospice and ask questions about what to expect from hospice services.  Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern.  This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice is needed.  By having these discussions in advance, patients are not forced into uncomfortable situations.  Instead, patients can make an educated decision that includes the advice and input of family members and loved ones. 

Isn't Hospice just for people who are dying?
Helping people find meaning, dignity and peace is at the core of our mission, and that starts well before life's end.  That's why we offer resources and choices across all of life's span for both patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families and loved ones.  For example, we provide assistance:

  • Navigating through care choices and planning decisions
  • Adjusting to a new serious diagnosis
  • Actively living with a life-limiting illness
  • Caring for someone who is ill or frail
  • Learning to cope with a significant loss

Who pays for the hospice's services?
It is important to know that no person who needs care will ever be turned away from Hospice Care of South Carolina.  Services are reimbursed through Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance.  No one is ever denied our hospice services, regardless of ability to pay.

How does hospice care begin?
Anyone can make a formal request or a referral.  Care begins when the hospice nurse receives an order from the patient's physician and eligibility criteria is established.


Will I be the only hospice patient that the hospice staff serves?
Every hospice patient has access to a hospice volunteer, registered nurse, social worker, hospice aide, and chaplain (also known as the interdisciplinary team).  For each patient and family, the interdisciplinary team writes a plan of care for the patient and family that is used to make sure the patient and family receive the care they need from the team.  Our staff have some of the lowest staff to patient ratios.  This allows our staff to maximize their time and care with each patient and family. 

All visits, are based on the patient and family needs as described in the plan of care.  The frequency of volunteers and spiritual care is often dependent upon the family's desires.

Is hospice available after hours?
Hospice care is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.  We have nurses available to respond to a call for help within minutes, if necessary.

How does hospice work to keep the patient comfortable?
Many patients may have pain and other serious symptoms as their illness progresses.  Hospice staff receives special training to care for all types of physical and emotional symptoms that cause pain, discomfort, and distress.  Because keeping the patient comfortable and pain-free is an important part of hospice care, we have developed ways to measure how comfortable the patient is during the course of their stay in hospice.  Our staff works with the patient's physician to make sure that medication, therapies, and procedures are designed to achieve the goals outlined in the patient's plan of care.  The care plan is reviewed frequently to make sure any changes and new goals are in the plan.

What role does the hospice volunteer serve?
Hospice volunteers are available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones including running errands, preparing light meals, staying with a patient to give family members a break, and lending emotional support and companionship to patients and family members.
Because hospice volunteers spend time in patients' and families' homes, we have an application and interview process to assure the person is right for this type of volunteer work.  In addition, we have an organized training program for their patient care volunteers.  Areas covered by these training programs include understanding hospice, confidentiality, working with families, listening skills, signs and symptoms of approaching death, grief and bereavement support.

Can I be cared for by hospice if I reside in a nursing facility or other type of long-term care facility?
Hospice services can be provided to a person wherever they live.  This means a patient living in a nursing facility or long-term care facility can receive specialized visits from hospice nurses, hospice aides, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers, in addition to other care and services provided by the nursing facility. 


What happens if I cannot stay at home due to my increasing care need and require a different place to stay during my final phase of life?
Hospice Care of South Carolina has agreements with freestanding hospice houses, hospitals and inpatient residential centers to care for patients.  These patients may require a different place to live during this phase of their life when they need extra care.

Do state and federal reviewers inspect and evaluate hospices?
Yes.  There are state licensure requirements that must be met by hospice programs in order for them to deliver care.  In addition, hospices must comply with federal regulations in order to be approved for reimbursement under Medicare.  Hospices must periodically undergo inspection to make sure they are meeting regulatory standards in order to maintain their license to operate and the certification that permits Medicare reimbursement.

How can I be sure that quality hospice care is provided?
Hospice Care of South Carolina uses tools to measure how well we are doing in relation to quality hospice standards.  In addition, we use family satisfaction surveys to get feedback on our performance.  To help hospice programs ensure quality care and service, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has developed recommended standards entitled 'Standards of Practice for Hospice Programs' as one way of ensuring quality.  Hospice Care of South Carolina strives to exceed these standards with superior care for our patients and families.