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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

See some common questions and answers below, or call us at (478) 953-5161. 

  • Where do I begin?

    The following can be possible signs that hospice care may be needed for you or your loved one:

    • Majority of day is spent in bed or in a chair with very limited activity
    • Weight loss/diculty swallowing
    • Several falls over a 6-month period 
    • Multiple trips to the ER within a brief period of time
    • Shortness of breath while resting or oxygen dependent
    • Unrelieved pain

    To be eligible for hospice care, a patient must have an illness that is life-limiting, such as heart disease, cancer, end-stage Alzheimer’s, stroke or other condition with a life expectancy of 6-months or less.

  • How do I start Hospice Benefits?
    • Ask your physician about hospice or call Heart of Georgia Hospice at 478-953-5161.
    • A Registered Nurse will visit to discuss your situation to determine your individual type of care needed and all benecial hospice service options. He/she will perform an assessment, discuss hospice eligibility and answer questions about hospice care and benets.
  • What will hospice care cost me?

    Hospice benets are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance groups


    Heart of Georgia Hospice provides indigent/charity hospice care to many patients every year.

  • What services are included with my hospice care?

    • Medical equipment needed in the home such as a hospital bed, oxygen, walker, wheelchair, shower chair
    • Medications that are related to the patient’s primary hospice diagnosis/disease.
    • Nursing services
    • Social Worker Services/Support
    • Chaplaincy Support if desired
    • Volunteer Support
    • Supportive education teaching the family how to care for someone with a terminal illness
    • Continuous care
  • Where will care be provided?

    Care is provided in the patient’s private residence, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. Direct care of the patient is provided by the family or designated caregivers. The hospice clinical team offers supportive care regarding personal care needs. For instance, a Certied Nurses Aid (CNA) can, if needed, perform bathing and associated hygiene services for the patient to include but not limited to bathing, hair washing, nail care, bed linen change, etc. at scheduled times during the week.

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