What questions should I ask a hospice care provider?

Once you have narrowed down your hospice programs there are a number of questions that you should ask in order to be certain you will be getting the best hospice team for your loved one. Every hospice program is different and while certainly all have quality care and can assist the family through the grieving process of losing a loved one, every individual's situation is different and thus you need to be certain you are getting the care your loved one deserves.

Certification and accreditation are two very important factors in any hospice organization. Your hospice program should be accredited by a nationally recognized body. This accreditation assures you that your hospice program is not only committed to providing top quality care but this accreditation is sought voluntarily. Medicare certified hospice programs are important as it shows they have met the federal requirements for care of terminally ill patients. You also want to make sure that any hospice program you select has been licensed by your state.

Ask for references and any additional consumer information they can give you! A good quality hospice program will have a written brochure or written paperwork that states their services, costs, payment, what your hospice team will consist of, insurance information and more. They should also be willing to give you the names and numbers of families that have used their services upon request.

What is the admissions policy? If you don't feel comfortable with their policies then that particular agency is most likely not a good fit. Is there a plan of care for every patient and do they work with each individual family to be certain that the needs of their loved one are being met? It is important that the hospice team as well as the family are following the same protocol and a good hospice program should be willing to work with you and list all the duties that will be needed.

Inpatient care, services and availability of staff are additional questions that need to be addressed in order to be certain that you are getting the best quality care for your specific situation. Do not hesitate to ask about personnel, costs or any other additional questions you may have about their program.