Anyone Can Refer Someone to Hospice
While a doctor’s order is needed to receive hospice care, anyone can make the initial referral for care. Jennifer Howard, patient access manager, explains how to recognize when it may be time for hospice care for you or someone you know and how we can help determine if care is appropriate.
Anyone can refer someone to hospice services a friend, your doctor, a pastor, a loved one. It’s not necessary to have a doctor’s referral to go to hospice – which means the patient can even refer themselves.
Therefore, you and your family get the assistance you need. When you need it.
What Are the Requirements for Hospice Referral?
Patients who are hospice eligible or appropriate are those who:
- Have a life-limiting or terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less
- Have experienced recent functional decline
- Are no longer pursuing curative treatment
- Have decided they want to be comfortable with the time they have remaining
Once the patient access department gets the referral, you will receive a phone call from a Patient Access Specialist or a nurse who will go over the criteria for hospice eligibility, how the patient is doing, their decline, and how our services can help you.
The Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice Team Is Ready to Assist
With hospice, you will have an interdisciplinary team that consists of a doctor, a registered nurse, a hospice aide, a volunteer, a social worker, and a chaplain.
Hospice care can be provided in any place the patient calls home. This can be a residence, an assisted living facility, nursing homes, or even one of our hospice care centers.
Did You Know? Most People Don’t Receive The Full Extent of Hospice Benefits
Less than 10 percent of patients receive the full benefit of hospice. Hospice is designed to care for patients for months to give them added support and education. It’s not meant for the final days only. In fact, many people have said they wished they had contacted hospice sooner.
Do You Need a Hospice Referral? Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Will Guide You Through the Process
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is always here to assist people with their needs.
There are many ways to contact us. You can pick up the phone and call our patient access team. We have information on our website: you can refer a loved one, or contact us to make a referral by completing the forms for additional information.
