Table of Contents

1. What is hospice?
2. How is hospice different from home health care?
3. How is Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice different from other hospice programs in the area?
4. How much does it cost to have Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice services?
5. What if a patient lives longer than six months?
6. Is hospitalization still possible while under hospice care?
7. Can a patient living alone receive services from Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice?
8. What procedures must be followed when death occurs in the home?
9. Who is Harry Hynes?

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1. What is hospice?

Hospice provides care to terminally ill patients (life expectancy of six months or less) and to their families. This care includes physical, emotional, social and spiritual support.

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2. How is hospice different from home health care?

Home health care is primarily physical care for those who have a good possibility for rehabilitation. Nurses and health care aides give this care. Hospice is provided for patients who are likely to die within six months or less. The care is comprehensive in nature provided by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, heath care aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. Extensive support is also provided the terminally ill patients family and loved ones.

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3. How is Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice different from other hospice programs in the area?

Established in 1983, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice is the only non-profit hospice organization in the area. As a not-for -profit corporation, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice is governed by a board of directors comprised of community leaders. "Ownership" belongs to the community.  The purpose of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice is to serve the terminally ill and their families. No funds are used to pay investors.

Since many of the services provided by Harry Hynes Memorial are not reimbursed, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice relies on tax-deductible donations from various community sources.

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4. How much does it cost to have Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice services?

As a not-for-profit agency, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice provides services regardless of a patients ability or inability to pay. A hospice benefit is available for those who are Medicare or Medicaid eligible. Hospice care coverage is often available through commercial insurance.

Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice is required to make a financial assessment of the ability to pay for those patients without any insurance coverage. A sliding scale fee for payment is set (if possible) once this assessment has been made. This assessment is, of course, confidential.

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5. What if a patient lives longer than six months?

Even though the Medicare Hospice benefit requires a doctor to certify a prognosis of six months or less life expectancy, this does not mean patients will be discharged from hospice care if they live longer. All that is necessary is for a doctor to certify that the terminal disease is still present.

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6. Is hospitalization still possible while under hospice care?

Yes. This is usually for an acute crisis that can not be managed in other settings. If the patient is under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice will pay for the hospitalization.

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7. Can a patient living alone receive services from Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice?

Yes. Through its "Caregiver Assistance" program, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice makes it possible for terminally ill individuals living alone to receive hospice services.  See the "Services" page at this site to learn more about this program.

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8. What procedures must be followed when death occurs in the home?

Notify the hospice staff immediately when it appears the patient under our care has died. The Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice nurse will come to the home and take care of all the phone calls that must be made (e.g. coroner's office, mortuary, etc.) and other calls requested by the family and loved ones.

It is not necessary for the "911" system to be activated when a patient dies while under the care of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice

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