How you can get started with Hospice

Getting Started is sometimes the hardest part. We make it easier by guiding you through three easy steps.

Learn About Hospice and your options

The best time to learn about hospice is before you need it.

At any time during a life-threatening illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s healthcare options, including hospice. For more information on hospice care, review the material on this website, call Hospice of Dutchess and Ulster Counties at 800-522-9132.

A referral to hospice is appropriate when:

A patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus.
Curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.

Hospice services are available to patients without regard to disease, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, or ability to pay.

Getting Started is sometimes the hardest part. We make it easier by guiding you through three easy steps.

You can call us to make a referral or inquire about services at 1-800-522-9132

To make a referral or to inquire about services available please call Hospice of Dutchess and Ulster County at 1-800-522-9132 and a Registered Nurse will help you begin the referral process. Making this important phone call is the next step.

Referrals to hospice may be made by anyone, including but not limited to:

Physicians
Discharge Planners
Social Workers
Patients
Family Members
Nursing Homes
Friends
Clergy

Too often referrals for hospice care are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms or is near death. Although hospice care can do much to assist and provide care at this time, the patient and family can benefit much more from hospice services if referred earlier.

Many symptoms (i.e. pain) can be anticipated and prevented from becoming severe. Symptoms that might otherwise require a hospitalization or an emergency room visit can be successfully managed by the hospice team in the patient’s home. The patient’s and family’s quality of life can be greatly enhanced by early intervention.

Getting Started is sometimes the hardest part. We make it easier by guiding you through three easy steps.

The Admission Process

A nurse assesses the patient’s physical and emotional readiness for services, obtains a full medical history, and determines what medication and medical equipment is needed. All discussions are handled in a highly sensitive manner. Once the assessment is performed, eligibility is determined by the Hospice Medical Director.

A team is assigned to the patient and family, and a visit schedule and plan of care is established. The nurse makes arrangements for medication and medical equipment to be delivered, at no charge, and continues to monitor patient care.

The nurse also teaches the caregiver and family members how to care for the patient. Members of the care team continually interact with the family to identify what is needed to offer the highest quality of care. The care team visits as needed.