What Is Hospice? | Who Provides Hospice Care? | What Our Patients Say

It is a common misunderstanding that Hospice means you have only days to live. No one knows when they will die-it maybe six months or even years. But if you have an advanced illness that cannot be cured.

Most importantly, Hospice manages symptoms to maintain or enhance quality of life. Many of our Hospice patients:

• Continue with hobbies or life interests.
• Eat at their favorite restaurants.
• Go on vacation.
• Take car rides.
• Visit with friends and family.

Does Insurance Cover Hospice Care?

Most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover Hospice. Hospice care is based on the patient’s needs, not ability to pay. Individuals with limited resources or who are uninsured can receive assistance, thanks to generous donations from the community.

What Else Is Provided?

Hospice also pays for additional items that are related to the patient's terminal illness such as: medications, equipment and other personal comfort items.

Our team of Hospice Specialists are committed to providing patients with high-quality, compassionate, End-of-Life care 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Our team includes:

• A full-time Physician, board certified in Hospice & Palliative Care, oversees the program.
• Nurses nationally certified in Hospice and Palliative Care.
• Masters-prepared Medical Social Workers.
• Experienced Chaplains.
• Hospice-trained Home Health Aides and Volunteers.
• A full range of other healthcare professionals from Susquehanna Health including Pharmacists, Therapists, and Dieticians.

Where does Hospice Care take place?

Most people receive Hospice care in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or in The Gatehouse (hyperlink). Symptoms are managed so people can live a full life with the support of family and friends.

When do we have to decide?

There is never any obligation to choose Hospice. We are happy to visit with you and your family or friends, talk about your situation and needs and answer all of your questions. You can begin Hospice whenever you feel it's the right time and choice for you.

"Our heart felt appreciation goes out to the hospice team who loved and cared so graciously for my mother until the Lord took her home. You will never know how much that meant to my family and me.”"

"To everyone at Hospice who was a part of caring for our dad, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you did for us. Your compassion and guidance made this most difficult time somewhat more bearable. You will be remembered in our hearts.<"/p>

"Thank you for all your kindness and support at this difficult time. We appreciated your comforting sympathy and your tender care of mom (she looked forward to your visits) and for all your guidance to us. We cannot thank you enough for being there for us."

"Please convey my thanks to all of your staff. You truly provided comfort to mother and to us and for that we are grateful. It is of great comfort to us to know that Hospice exists and provides such important services to all. Thank you!"

"Speaking for our family, we want to thank you for making our aunt's final days more peaceful and comfortable."

"We cannot thank you enough for your help. Thank you for helping us make her last hours good ones in our home. We will not forget you."

"Thank you so much for all your compassion and gentle TLC in caring for our loved one both at home and in the nursing home. He looked forward to your little talks on your visits."

"Words can never thank you enough for all you did. You all were so kind to her. Each one of you has a special gift of caring for others. The time we got to spend with her at home was precious to us. You made that possible for us. God knew what he was doing sending you to us. God bless you all!"

"I know I never could have done it with out you all. The people who work for Hospice are angels. I really appreciate all you have done for us."

"You people are an amazing group of individuals. We all could learn a lesson of humanity and compassion from each of you. Yet, how blessed you are that you are given the special gift of "insight to heaven." As each of you carry out your duties on a daily basis you brought laughter, smiles and peace of mind to our family."

"Thank you all for your part in Mom's care. She appreciated your visits and efforts to keep her comfortable. Our nurse was so kind and made us feel confident that we were on the right path. I think mom's peacefulness was directly related to your care."

"You truly provided comfort to mother and to us and for that we are grateful. It is great comfort to us to know that Hospice exists and provides such important services to all. Thank you."

"Without the wonderful team from Hospice, I could not have gone through losing my mother. They were wonderful to mother and me. The care was excellent and loving. They were willing to listen to me and support me."

"To all the special caregivers at Susquehanna Hospice, a heart felt thank you for your guidance in the last few days of mom's life. Without your knowledge and experience, our loss would have been so much more devastating. Because of your expertise, we were able to be with mom when she passed and it was an awesome experience."

"Dear Hospice Nursing Staff, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the exceptional care you provided during my husbands'/our fathers' battle against cancer. Your staff are truly angels from Heaven! We could not have done it without you!"

"What a privilege to know some of you. Firsthand knowledge of all you do to help families puts a new face on the word "Hospice." Thank you and God Bless each one of you."

"Thank you for all the care that you gave our mother during her final weeks. She enjoyed the time that she spent with each of you. The nurses were great on the day that mother passed away. Words cannot say what your involvement has meant. Thank you for everything."

"Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel for all you have done for my family. Your love and caring support during this difficult time was so appreciated. I know that I could not have handled it without you. Each day I thanked God for the blessings you gave us and will continue to do so."

"When my father passed away, I reflected on the support your staff provided. It was always helpful and reassuring to ask questions and get a better understanding of the final stages of my father's lung cancer. Your staff was always very caring and willing to provide whatever support or knowledge was needed."

"We are very thankful for your kindness and tender loving care shown to our father and husband during his last week on earth. The staff will be remembered always. You are in our thoughts and prayers for your wonderful guidance."

"We can't thank you enough for the wonderful care that you gave our son. We certainly couldn't have done it without your help. You kept us all very strong. We appreciate all that you have done for us."

"Thank you for making this experience less frightening, less painful and more dignified than one can imagine. You are all angels on earth!"

"Many thanks for all you did for us. Your support has made this very difficult time more bearable. With your help, we were able to keep dad home where he wanted to be. Hospice is a wonderful service for families and patients. You are all to be commended for caring service."

"We can't begin to thank you enough for your comfort, caring and helping us to fulfill Dad's final wishes."