Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions regarding hospice care or Crown hospice? Keep scrolling to view our answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
General Hospice Questions
Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on terminally ill patients, tending to their physical, emotional and even spiritual needs. Hospice prioritizes pain management and quality of life, ensuring that the patient’s final days are as comfortable and pain free as possible.
At Crown Hospice we work hard to ensure that the needs of the patient and their caregiver(s) are met. Our services include symptom management, personal care, emotional support, spiritual support, caregiver support, grief support and more.
A patient qualifies for hospice care when their doctor diagnoses them with a life-limiting illness and determines their life expectancy to be six months or less. The Crown Victoria team will also do additional evaluations, assessing whether or not hospice care is necessary.
While there are many diagnoses that would qualify one for hospice care, here are some of the more common life-limiting illnesses that patients may have as they enter hospice care:
- Cancer
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Heart Failure
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Huntington’s
Crown Hospice care is paid for through:
- Medicare
- Texas Medicaid
- Private Insurance
Crown Hospice is also more than happy to work with unfunded patients to provide our services at little or no cost. We work hard to ensure that patients are as comfortable as they can be and are not stressing over how to pay for our services. To fund this program, we rely heavily on donations from generous community members. If you are interested in donating to Crown Hospice, please visit our donate page.
Once the patient has been evaluated and can begin hospice care, we will assign them a core hospice care team including a registered nurse, spiritual counselor, medical social worker, certified nurse’s aides and volunteers.
Our team will coordinate based on the patient’s wishes and the scope of care required. The patient’s team will visit them at a frequency appropriate to their condition. Visit frequency can always be increased or decreased as necessary. There is no limit to the number of visits a patient can receive. We have a nurse on call at all times and our services are available 24/7.
Additionally, our team will visit the patient wherever they call home. We provide services at private residences, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and more. If, at any time during your hospice care, there is a change in living arrangements, Crown Hospice will aid in the transition.
Yes! If a patient would like to leave hospice and return to curative treatment, they may discharge themselves at any time. Additionally, if a patient simply no longer wishes to receive hospice care, they can withdraw from treatment. Crown Hospice operates in the patient’s best interest, and we understand there are many reasons why a patient may want to withdraw from care.
Caretaker and Family Questions
Having a family member or loved one in hospice can be overwhelming. Whether, they’re dealing with Dementia, Parkinson’s, or anything in between, our team will teach you the proper way to care for them and promote their quality of life. We will help you to understand your loved one’s condition, and show you how to execute comfort and personal care.
At Crown Hospice we work hard to ensure that the needs of the patient and their caregiver(s) are met. Our services include symptom management, personal care, emotional support, spiritual support, caregiver support, grief support and more.
Unfortunately, no one knows when exactly someone will pass away. However, our experienced staff will keep you up to date on your family member’s condition. We will always be open and honest with you regarding your loved one’s health and will notify you when we see changes in their condition.
While there are many diagnoses that would qualify one for hospice care, here are some of the more common life-limiting illnesses that patients may have as they enter hospice care:
- Cancer
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Heart Failure
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Huntington’s
Hospice support does not stop after your loved one passes. Crown Hospice will be there to offer bereavement services to family members and caregivers for up to 13 months after their passing. These services include support groups, one on one grief counseling, an annual memorial service, an array of grief resources and more. Learn more on our Bereavement page.
We understand that being a caregiver to a hospice patient can be overwhelming. That’s why Crown Hospice is proud to offer caregiver support services. These services include emotional and spiritual support, as well as caregiver assistance. Our trained medical staff, spiritual staff, and volunteers will be by your side to lend a helping hand when it gets to be too much. Learn more about these services on our Caregiver Support Services page.
Crown Hospice Specific Questions
Yes. Medical equipment is an included benefit of hospice covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. If your services are being paid for through our donations, that also covers medical equipment. Additionally, our staff will bring the equipment to you and pick it up when it is no longer needed.
No, Crown Hospice is a nondenominational organization. While we do offer spiritual guidance and chaplain support, we understand that every patient has their own unique religious preferences, and we allow the patient to make the choice of whether or not they want to participate in our spiritual care services.
Crown Hospice is an independent, faith-based hospice care provider and we believe that everyone who wants hospice care should receive it. We work hard to ensure that every patient is taken care of financially, whether or not they have the proper insurance coverage.
Additionally, we go above and beyond to provide excellent physical, emotional and spiritual care not only for our hospice patients but for their family members as well. With 24/7 availability, caregiver education and support, bereavement services, and more, you can be sure that you and your loved one will be well taken care of at Crown Hospice.
Losing a Loved One is Difficult
Feel free to contact Crown Hospice of Victoria for more information about bereavement, grief counseling, support groups, celebrating life, or anything else that you can think of.