10 Things You Didn’t Know About Our Hospice Care Centers

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) serves our patients wherever they are, regardless of if it’s at their home, an assisted care facility or in the hospital. We want our patients to spend as much time surrounded by their loved ones as possible, and often, patients wish to receive care in their home.

However, sometimes their needs cannot be met at home. That’s why we created our hospice care centers. These centers offer pain management, medical expertise and emotional support to help our patients and their families through this difficult and challenging time.

The son of one of our hospice patients commented on these care centers, saying:

“First-class care. Staff were amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate in telling someone, if they needed a hospice, to go there. We were very well taken care of and the care center was super clean. Also, groups donate food for the families daily to a very nice kitchen.”

Our hospice care centers reflect the dedication to excellence and compassion that guide us every day as we make a difference in the lives of our patients and those who love them.

Do you know of someone who would benefit from hospice care? Perhaps you’ve received a serious diagnosis, and you’re not sure what type of care is right for you. We invite you to contact us with your questions; we would be happy to help you get the answers you need. 

We consider it a privilege to serve our community and wanted to provide some information on things you probably didn’t know about our care centers.

10 things you probably didn’t know about Hospice Care Centers

1. Our centers have full-time physicians

In fact, we are the only local hospice to have full-time physicians on staff, and we’re proud to extend this service to our hospice care centers, where you’ll be seen by a doctor who is an active partner in your care and works closely with the entire team. Many of our doctors have specialized training in hospice care.

2. Our centers have private rooms

We understand that hospice care is an intensely personal experience, and we want to honor and respect the privacy and dignity of every patient. These spacious private rooms have plenty of space for visiting family, including space for them to spend the night.

3. Our centers have an extensive array of therapy programs, including music and pet therapy.

Studies have repeatedly shown how important therapeutic programs are for patients at any point in their hospice care journey, particularly music and pet therapy.

We’ve found that Callie, one of our therapy dogs, always brings smiles to the faces of our patients, family members and visitors. They look forward to her visits and enjoy the companionship and unconditional love she gives. Callie is one of the many ways our hospice care centers listen to the needs of our patients and respond with compassionate intervention.

4. There’s probably a Hospice Care Center near you.

We have hospice care centers at three locations:

• The Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion in Wilmington
• Angel House Hospice Care Center in Whiteville
• The SECU Hospice House of Brunswick in Bolivia

You can take a look inside our care centers and see how they provide a serene, home-like environment for our patients and families.

5. Our centers provide short-term, intensive, continuous inpatient care

We realize there are times when treatment at home or at a hospital isn’t appropriate. That’s why we established these centers to help our patients who need short-term care.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare provides superior treatment plans and many other qualities that separate us from other area hospices. For example, in a national caregivers’ survey, we scored higher than the national average in all eight categories, which included treating patients with respect and providing emotional and physical support.

6. Every room has a private bathroom

We strive to create a professional health care environment that is as home-like and comfortable as possible.

7. Our centers have gorgeous landscaped courtyards and gardens

Many of our patients have been gardeners and appreciate the beauty and relaxation that comes from being in nature. We have gorgeous outdoor areas available for our residents and visitors to enjoy.

8. Our centers feature shared family kitchens filled with Meals of Love

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where many memories were created, recipes shared, and some of the most treasured moments were often spent. We’re glad to offer a family-style kitchen at our care centers. It’s stocked with food from Meals of Love.

9. There are prayer and meditation rooms

We know caring for the whole patient means caring for spiritual needs as well. We’re pleased to not only have chaplains on staff but to offer prayer and meditation rooms for the comfort and convenience of our patients and their families.

10. There is free grief counseling and grief group counseling available.

It is hard to convey the pain and anguish that comes with losing someone you deeply love. Our professionals and chaplains will work with you to help you work through this pain, where we offer a wide variety of workshops focusing on coping with the death of a child or parent and dealing with the loss of a partner.

See Why We Are the Hospice of Choice for the Region

No other hospice provider in our region offers the level of care found in our hospice care centers. In addition, depending upon availability, our centers can provide families with respite care so caregivers can have a much-needed break.  In addition, we are available 24/7 to help our patients and their families during a crisis or critical situation.

A patient can be referred to hospice care by anyone: their physician, a family member, or even by the patient themselves. For information to find out how to help someone you love get the care they need, please complete the referral form today.

We’ve reviewed some of the many benefits of our hospice care centers, but how do you select the right hospice program? Throughout the decades, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has consistently demonstrated the highest quality of compassionate care for the entire family.

We’ve outlined some helpful tips when selecting a hospice. 

7 Qualities to Look for in a Hospice Care Program

When you or someone you love is facing a life-limiting illness, it’s easy to suffer from information overload, from learning about the disease to juggling doctor appointments. 

When it’s time for hospice or palliative care, it can be difficult to make a decision from the myriad of choices facing you. You may find that your doctor, friends and family members are giving you several suggestions, but ultimately, you will be the one who makes decisions about your hospice care.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice is not a place, nor is it only for the elderly. 

Hospice provides hope, comfort and care for those facing a life-limiting illness.  Hospice care is appropriate for those with a life expectancy of six months or less. Through hospice, patients and their families experience a much higher quality of life and are able to spend more time together.

While cancer patients may be the first ones you think of when you hear the word “hospice,” we actually serve patients who have a wide range of diagnoses. In addition to cancer, a few of these diagnoses are:

• End-stages of chronic illnesses such as lung, heart, and kidney disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Strokes
• ALS
• Neurological diseases

If you have any questions, we’ll be glad to discuss them and take the mystery out of hospice care.

One of the common myths surrounding hospice care is that all hospices offer similar levels of care. This isn’t true. There are several differences.

All Hospices are Not the Same

Most hospices are Medicare certified, but how they provide end-of-life care can vary. In addition, there are also differences in the services, programs and levels of support provided. Therefore, we’ve outlined 7 qualities you should look for in a hospice and palliative care program.

1. Full-time Physicians on Staff

While hospices work closely with doctors, not all of them have full-time physicians on staff. In fact, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) is the only hospice in the area that does.

2. Specialized Certification

Be sure to ask if the clinical staff members—including nurses and nursing aides—have specialized training and certification in hospice care. This designation represents a commitment to a higher level of care for you and your family.

3. Multiple Facets of Support

In addition to your physical needs, does the hospice have the resources to care for your spiritual needs as well? What about your loved ones? 

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare not only offers spiritual and psychological support, but we also provide extensive opportunities for grief care for both adults and children.  Families of hospice patients can receive grief counseling for up to 13 months after the loss of their loved one.

4. Differing Levels of Care

Hospice care may not always be the appropriate solution.

If you’re experiencing a serious illness but do not yet qualify for hospice care, we offer palliative care to help manage symptoms and pain. Palliative care can begin at any age or at any stage of the illness. 

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the differences between hospice and palliative care. We’ve outlined some important information that you’ll find useful in our article, “Does Your Loved One Qualify for Palliative Care.”

5. Stellar Satisfaction Scores

Our patient satisfaction scores rank well above the national average. These scores are based on feedback from family members. You can view the specifics of our scores on this site.

6. Ability to serve in various locations

A hospice should be able to serve you at your location, whether that’s a skilled nursing facility, your home or a hospital. In addition to offering this service, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare also has inpatient hospice care centers throughout the area if symptoms cannot be effectively managed at home. In fact, more than 90 percent of our hospice patients are served where they live.

7. Assistance that is readily available

A quality hospice should be able to respond quickly to any critical situations. At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, we are available to address any critical situation that may arise 24/7. Whether you call us at 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., our on-call nurse is ready to help you, even on holidays. 

Hospice Care Is About Living—Not Dying

One more picnic by the lake. One more walk on the beach with your family. One more afternoon playing with the grandchildren. 

Hospice care is all about these “one more” opportunities to continue to live life to the fullest extent possible. Did you know that patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care?

That means one more month spending time with those you love and—as much as possible—doing the things you love.  That’s the philosophy behind Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. Contact us for additional information or to find out the type of care that’s appropriate.

We’ve reviewed some information about our hospice care centers near you, how they benefit our patients and their families, and the important items to consider when selecting a hospice. 

But sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. We’d like to take you on a tour of one of our comforting, beautiful hospice care centers. 

A Tour of Angel House Hospice in Whiteville, NC, Columbus County

A graceful, white statue of an angel holding a bouquet of roses gently welcomes all who arrive at the Angel House care hospice house in Whiteville, NC. This beautiful, relaxing state-of-the-art facility creates a peaceful environment for those in need of inpatient, acute hospice care and their family and visitors.

We’d like to take you on a brief tour of the Angel House Hospice Care Center, explain what you can expect, and provide information on how to make referrals to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

Angel House Hospice Care Center serves as the hub for our services in Bladen and Columbus counties.

While more than 90 percent of our patients are served wherever they call home, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare patients have exclusive access to this inpatient care center when pain and symptoms cannot be managed in a residential setting.

Angel House Hospice Care Center Has Served Columbus and Bladen County Communities for More Than 10 Years

In 2008, Angel House Hospice Care Center opened. It is a non-profit, community hospice inpatient care center in Whiteville, NC, roughly one mile from Columbus Regional Hospital. We provide around-the-clock acute hospice care, and the six-bed facility is conveniently located to serve patients in Bladen and Columbus counties.

Angel House was made possible through a generous donation from Peggy Ann Triplett, coupled with donations from throughout the community.

We have a good working relationship with Columbus Regional Hospital and the Columbus County Health Department in Whiteville, NC.

A Welcoming Hospice Care Environment

When you enter Angel House, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful, home-like environment of rocking chairs and white picket fences. When your children or grandchildren visit, they can enjoy our specially designed children’s play area.

We’ve tastefully designed rooms with large French doors that open out to patios facing a meticulously landscaped lawn. Partitioned patios provide privacy. When you step off the patio, you are in a beautiful lawn, perfect for visits with family and friends.

Throughout the facility, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful collection of angels from Mrs. Triplett’s personal collection.

How Do You Know It’s Time for Hospice Care?

Typically, hospice care begins when the patient has six months or less to live or no longer wants curative treatments. Many people mistakenly believe that hospice care should only be called during the last days of life. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Many may not realize:

• Hospice is a Medicare benefit
• Most insurance companies will cover hospice care
• Veterans have hospice benefits through the VA
• Hospice care is provided anywhere the patient calls home, whether it’s a residence, a nursing home in Columbus County or a hospital
• Hospice care is not just for cancer patients

If you need additional information, it’s easy to make a referral—either for yourself or someone you love.

Learn More About Lower Cape Fear LifeCare and Angel House Hospice Care Center in Columbus County

Did you know that, as a nonprofit hospice, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare offers its services regardless of your ability to pay?

Family caregivers have clearly indicated that Lower Cape Fear LifeCare offers services that rank above national averages in all eight categories by their responses provided on a survey about their hospice experience.

Contact us to learn more. You can speak to someone now by calling 800-733-1476.