Question 1

What is hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Hospice is specialized care for people living with a life-limiting illness. Rather than focusing oncuring the illness, hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and quality of life. An interdisciplinaryteam provides medical, emotional, social and spiritual support for the patient while also offeringeducation and support to family caregivers.

Question 2

How do I know when it may be time for hospice?

Accepted Answer

It may be time to consider hospice when an illness continues to progress, treatments are nolonger helping, symptoms are becoming more difficult to manage or the patient wants to focuson comfort rather than additional hospitalizations.Other signs may include increasing weakness, weight loss, falls, repeated infections, frequentemergency-room visits or a growing need for assistance with everyday activities. You do nothave to be certain before calling us. Dynamic Hospice can help you understand whether anevaluation may be appropriate.

Question 3

Who is eligible?

Accepted Answer

Hospice may be available to someone whose physician believes they have a life expectancy ofsix months or less if the illness follows its expected course. The patient must also choosecomfort-focused care rather than treatment intended to cure the terminal illness.Hospice is not limited to people with cancer. Patients may qualify with advanced heart, lung,kidney or liver disease, dementia, neurological conditions and many other serious illnesses.Patients can continue receiving hospice beyond six months when they remain eligible and arerecertified by a hospice physician. Medicare explains hospice eligibility here.

Question 4

Do I need a physician’s referral?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a physician’s referral to call Dynamic Hospice or request information. Anyonecan begin the conversation. Before hospice care can begin, the appropriate physicians mustcertify that the patient meets hospice eligibility requirements. Our team can help coordinate thatprocess.

Question 5

Can a family member call Dynamic directly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A patient, family member, friend, physician, hospital, facility or other healthcareprofessional may contact Dynamic Hospice. You do not have to wait for someone else to makethe first call.

Question 6

Does calling mean we must enroll?

Accepted Answer

No. Calling Dynamic is simply an opportunity to ask questions, discuss what has beenhappening and learn about available options. Choosing hospice is a personal decision, andthere is no obligation to enroll after speaking with us.

Question 7

Does hospice mean stopping all medications?

Accepted Answer

No. The hospice team reviews each medication with the patient and family. Medications thatpromote comfort, manage symptoms or support the patient’s goals may continue.Some medications or treatments intended to cure the terminal illness may no longer be part ofthe plan of care. Medications for health conditions unrelated to the hospice diagnosis may alsocontinue, although coverage can vary. The hospice team will explain any recommendedchanges and involve the patient and family in those decisions.

Question 8

Can the patient keep their current physician?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Patients may choose to keep their current physician involved as their attending provider ifthe physician agrees to continue participating in their care. The physician can workcollaboratively with Dynamic’s hospice medical director and interdisciplinary team.

Question 9

Where is hospice care provided?

Accepted Answer

Hospice comes to the patient wherever they call home. This may include:● A private residence● A family member’s home● An assisted-living or memory-care community● A personal-care home● A skilled-nursing facility● Another residential setting within our service areaWhen symptoms cannot be safely managed in the patient’s usual setting, the hospice team mayarrange short-term inpatient care when appropriate.

Question 10

Who pays for hospice?

Accepted Answer

Hospice is generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans. Foreligible Medicare patients receiving care from an approved hospice, most services related to theterminal illness are covered, including team visits, medications, medical equipment andsupplies.Small copayments may apply in limited circumstances, and room and board in a residentialfacility is generally not covered by the Medicare hospice benefit. Dynamic will verify coverageand explain any potential costs before care begins. See Medicare’s hospice coverageinformation.

Question 11

How often will the hospice team visit?

Accepted Answer

Every patient’s visit schedule is based on their individual needs and plan of care. As part ofDynamic Hospice’s high-touch model, every patient receives a minimum of two visits per weekduring their first month of care.This allows our team to build meaningful relationships, understand the patient’s and family’sneeds, and respond thoughtfully as those needs change. Visit frequency may increasewhenever additional support or symptom management is needed.

Question 12

Is someone available at night or on weekends?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hospice support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including nights,weekends and holidays. Patients and caregivers can call Dynamic whenever an urgentquestion, symptom or change occurs.The on-call team will assess the situation, provide guidance and arrange additional supportwhen needed

Question 13

What happens during a medical crisis?

Accepted Answer

Call Dynamic Hospice first when the patient experiences new or worsening pain, breathingdifficulty, agitation, a fall, medication concerns or another significant change. Our clinical team isavailable 24/7 to assess the situation and help determine the safest next step.Depending on the patient’s needs, the team may provide instructions, arrange an urgent visit,adjust the plan of care or coordinate a higher level of hospice care. Contacting Dynamic firstalso helps ensure that care remains consistent with the patient’s wishes and hospice plan.

Question 14

Can a patient leave hospice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Patients have the right to stop hospice care at any time. A patient may choose to pursuecurative treatment, transfer to another hospice or leave hospice for another reason.A patient may also be discharged if their condition improves and they no longer meet eligibilityrequirements. If the illness progresses later, the patient may be evaluated for hospice again.

Question 15

Does hospice provide 24-hour caregivers in the home?

Accepted Answer

Routine hospice care does not include a caregiver remaining in the home around the clock.Hospice team members make scheduled visits, provide 24/7 on-call support and teach familymembers or other caregivers how to safely provide day-to-day care.During certain short-term medical crises, more intensive hospice services may be availablewhen the patient meets specific clinical requirements. The team can also help families exploreprivate-duty caregiving or facility options when additional daily assistance is needed.

Question 16

What support is available for family caregivers?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic supports caregivers throughout the hospice journey. Support may include:● Education about medications and symptom management● Guidance about what changes to expect● Emotional and spiritual support● Help with difficult conversations and care decisions● Social-work assistance and connection to community resources● Short-term inpatient respite care when eligibility requirements are met● Anticipatory-grief and legacy support● Bereavement care after the deathCaregivers are an important part of the care team, but they should not have to navigate thisexperience without guidance.

Question 17

Does Dynamic provide grief support after a death?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dynamic continues supporting families after a death through its comprehensive grief andbereavement program, led by a licensed grief therapist. Support may include individual griefcounseling, support groups, educational resources, remembrance opportunities and communityprograms.Our grief support is designed to meet people where they are and help them navigate loss in away that honors their individual needs, relationships, beliefs and experiences.

Question 18

How quickly can care begin?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic responds promptly when a patient or family needs help. Once eligibility is confirmedand hospice care is approved, we can typically admit the patient within 24 hours. Urgentreferrals are prioritized, particularly when someone is experiencing a rapid decline or difficultsymptoms. Please call Dynamic directly so our team can assess the situation and begincoordinating care as quickly as possible.

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