Choosing Hospice
Choosing a hospice is a uniquely personal decision, and not all hospices are the same. Whether you are looking for hospice care for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to know which services are offered by the hospice you are considering.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Program
Hospice care is a philosophy of care that accepts dying as a natural part of life. When death is inevitable, hospice seeks neither to hasten nor postpone it. Some questions you may consider when considering a hospice are:
- How long has the hospice been around, and what is its reputation?
- Is the hospice accredited?
- What kind of support is available to the family/caregiver?
- What special services, like massage and pet therapy, are provided?
- How and where does hospice provide short-term inpatient care?
How Do I Ensure that Quality Hospice Care is Provided?
All quality hospice organizations are accredited by an independent evaluator such as the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP). Many hospices also use tools to evaluate how well they are doing in relation to quality hospice standards, and most programs conduct family satisfaction surveys to get feedback on the performance of their programs. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has developed the most widely-used hospice evaluation survey, known as the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care (FEHC).
Find out more on the NHPCO’s “Caring Connections” page.
Even after enrolling, a patient can be taken off hospice services whenever he or she wishes.
Why Choose Rainbow Hospice?
- Leading Experts
An interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, pastoral care staff and volunteers care for patients wherever they consider home, whether that is their own home, a nursing home or a hospital. Continuous care teams and a home-like inpatient unit, the Ark, ensure patients and families are supported during every step of their journey. - A Higher Standard of Care
We choose voluntary accreditation through the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP). Our LIFE Institute is a leader in training the next generation of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals in end-of-life care. - Service in our Community
Exceptional grief and loss support groups and counseling are available to anyone in our community, and are free of charge to families of Rainbow patients. Our Good Mourning Program is open to all children, teens and families in need of grief support. We also offer educational presentations on end-of-life issues in our community.
Find out more on the Why Rainbow page.
Whether you or a loved one are facing advanced illness, looking for bereavement support, or would just like to find out more, we are always ready to help.
Call us anytime at 847-685-9900.
