Question 1

How do I know it's time to consider hospice for a family member in Milwaukee?

Accepted Answer

Hospice is generally appropriate when a physician certifies a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course, and when the goal of care shifts from curative treatment to comfort. A physician referral, not a family decision alone, formally starts the process.

Question 2

Where can hospice care happen -- does it require moving to a special facility?

Accepted Answer

No. Hospice care is delivered wherever the patient lives -- a private home, an assisted living community, or a nursing facility -- and is also available at dedicated inpatient hospice units for patients who need a higher level of symptom management than can be managed at home.

Question 3

Does Medicare pay for hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hospice is a well-established Medicare benefit, covering hospice-related physician services, nursing care, medical equipment, medications related to the terminal diagnosis, and grief/bereavement support for the family, once a physician certifies eligibility.

Question 4

What is the 'We Honor Veterans' program mentioned by some Milwaukee-area hospice providers?

Accepted Answer

It's a national partnership between hospice providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs that trains hospice staff on veteran-specific end-of-life needs and helps recognize a veteran's military service as part of their hospice care. VITAS Healthcare's Milwaukee office describes running this program on its own site.

Question 5

What's the difference between hospice and palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Palliative care focuses on comfort and symptom relief and can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness. Hospice is specifically for patients who have stopped curative treatment and have a physician-certified life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course.

Community	Care type	Address	County
Visiting Angels Milwaukee	Home Health & Home Care	7635 W Bluemound Rd #1B, Milwaukee, WI 53213 Milwaukee, OH 53213	Milwaukee
Assisting Hands Central Milwaukee	Home Health & Home Care	10909 W. Greenfield Avenue, Suite 200, West Allis, WI 53214 West Allis, OH 53214	Milwaukee

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