Hospice FAQs
What is Methodist Hospice?
Hospice provides a special kind of physical and supportive care to patients and their families who are faced with a terminal illness. This special care focuses on the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their family during this difficult time. Consequently, Methodist Hospice helps terminally ill patients in the Memphis area live life more fully.
Hospice works to control symptoms and helps patients stay active for as long as they can. In addition, Methodist Hospice provides many support programs to the family. A team of Methodist Hospice caregivers works together to care for the patient. They also teach the family and other caregivers how to provide care for the patient. Some advantages of hospice include:
- Quality time together for the patient and family
- Comfort of a home setting, surrounded by loved ones
- Personal attention from Methodist Hospice team members who come into the home to provide care
- Emphasis on patient and family participation in decision making
- Focus on helping the patient to live every moment
Who Needs Hospice?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and for whom curative treatment is no longer beneficial is eligible for Hospice. A physician referral is required.
What services are offered by Methodist Hospice?
Methodist Hospice offers care for adults as well as children. Services include:
- Giving compassionate care to terminally ill persons by helping control pain and other symptoms. Our team of physicians, nurses, social workers, homes health aides and chaplains work together to develop each patient's personal care plan.
- Supporting the patient and family emotionally and spiritually.
- Assisting family and loved ones by providing support groups and counseling even after hospice care ends.
- On call nursing support 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The nurse can answer questions, provide support and send an emergency visit nurse to the home if needed.
- Counseling and spiritual support from chaplains and social workers.
- Home medical equipment and medications for pain and symptom control.
- Physical, speech and occupational therapy as part of the Hospice care plan.
- Admission to the hospital for help with acute symptoms that require a short hospital stay.
- Volunteers who can help run errands, sit with the patient for short periods, provide companionship and at times, provide transportation.
- Each year, Methodist Hospice offers Camp BraveHearts, a family camp for those in the community who have experienced the death of a loved one. Bereavement consultation and services are available to anyone in the greater Memphis region.
How Do I Arrange for Care from Methodist Hospice in the Memphis Area?
One phone call from your doctor can begin our Hospice services. Hospice care is provided in homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or wherever the patient lives. Our staff evaluates all patients to ensure that eligibility criteria are met.
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, TennCare and commercial insurance. Our office bills the insurance provider and handles filing of all your claims. No patient is ever refused care based on inability to pay.??
For more information about how Methodist Hospice can help care for you or your loved ones at home, call 901.516.1616 or 800.726.2559.