Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my loved one qualifies for Hospice Services?
Hospice services are typically provided to those who are in the last phase of an incurable illness such as cancer, heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, stroke, dementia or neuromuscular disorders. For your convenience, we’ve developed the list below outlining basic admission criteria for St. Elizabeth Hospice:
- An incurable disease with a life expectancy of six months or less.
- A desire for care that makes the patient comfortable, when curative treatment is no longer an option.
- A physician willing to direct the hospice plan of care.
- For home care: a home in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton or Owen counties.
On average those patients in hospice care with the same disease types, live about a month longer than their non-hospice counterparts. (2007 Pain and Symptom Management study.) Hospice care can also dramatically reduce frequent and traumatic hospitalizations for a patient with a serious illness. This is because Hospice provides a well-constructed Plan of Care that can be delivered in the stability of the home or inpatient environment. This provides a more controlled and balanced setting for care. The patient and primary caregiver have access to professionals 24 hours a day/7 days a week and are educated about what to expect at the end of life.
Hospice care benefits include:
- Pain and symptom management.
- 24-hour on-call nurse service, including in-person visits.
- Related Medical equipment, ambulance transportation and medications.
- Additional therapy options such as Physical and Occupational Therapy, Speech, Music and Pet Therapies.
- Social Work services and Advanced Care Planning support.
- Inpatient care for uncontrolled symptom management.
- Respite care for caregivers.
- Compassionate Companions Program, providing a trained volunteer to sit with a patient, which enables a full-time caregiver the opportunity to shower or sleep.
- Spiritual care through dedicated chaplains from a variety of religious backgrounds.
- Bereavement and counseling services provided by licensed counselors, at no charge to patients, caregivers or family members.
Hospice is not a location. It is a philosophy of care. Our goal is to make terminally ill patients as comfortable as possible in their homes, long term care facility, nursing home, assisted living or, in our inpatient unit.
St. Elizabeth Hospice services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. We also accept private insurance and self-pay patients. St. Elizabeth Hospice will provide services to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.
A physician referral is required to begin hospice care. However, anyone can receive more information about our services by calling us at (859) 301-4600. Referrals can be made by calling (859) 301-4624.
How often and how long are nursing visits to my loved one’s home?
While the family would be responsible for providing daily care, visits by nurses, chaplains and social workers are provided on an intermittent basis depending on the patient’s individual needs. St. Elizabeth Hospice’s nursing staff are available to provide nursing support 24 hours a day.
Where is the St. Elizabeth Hospice Inpatient Center located?
St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers Inpatient Hospice care at St. Elizabeth Hospice, 483 South Loop Rd., Edgewood, KY 41017.
When are patients cared for at the St. Elizabeth Hospice Inpatient Center?
Though most patients choose to receive Hospice services where they are living, some are best treated at St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s inpatient facility. This unit has been beautifully designed and specially built for those journeying toward the end of life. Here are some examples of the types of situations where patients might be best treated at our Inpatient Center:
- When patients experience sudden and/or severe onset of symptoms such as pain, anxiety or agitation they may benefit greatly from this increased level of care where their medicine and treatment can be adjusted more accurately to their changing needs. In cases such as this where symptoms are not well controlled, a patient may be eligible for an inpatient stay. Typically, patients are returned home within three to five days.
- When some respite is needed from the heavy demands of caring for a terminally ill patient, patients may come to our Center to give their caregivers a rest. Medicare provides coverage for up to five consecutive days of respite care at the Center. Patients may have multiple “respite stays” but usually not more than once a month. Please contact us to discuss eligibility.
How long can my loved one stay at the Inpatient Facility?
Different types of care require different lengths of stay. Each patient’s individual condition is evaluated before length of stay is determined.
More Information
If you would like more information about St. Elizabeth Hospice, or would like to make a referral, please contact us.
Phone: (859) 301-4600
Fax: (859) 301-4601
Location:
483 South Loop Drive
Edgewood, KY 41017
Insurance
Most services provided are covered by Medicare and by health insurance plans that cover hospice care. Our team can answer any specific questions you may have.
Helpful Links
Learn more about Hospice Care
Call
If you would like more information about the St. Elizabeth Hospice program or would like to make a referral, please contact us: Call (859) 301-4600.
