Truth: One never loses his or her Medicare benefits. The hospice Medicare benefit is another form of Medicare coverage, and all services required for management of the terminal illness are provided by Hospice of Leesville.

Truth: A patient may be admitted to Hospice of Leesville at any time during the last six months of life. It is best when the patient is referred before death is imminent or there is a crisis situation. It is preferable to refer a patient early so that the hospice team can have time to adequately prepare the patient and family for the impending death and so that Hospice of Leesville can do all it can to enhance the quality of the patient's life.

Truth: Under hospice care, the patient may be hospitalized to control symptoms or to provide respite care for the family if necessary. Arrangements for hospitalization must be made by Hospice of Leesville.

Truth: Hospice patients can withdraw from the program if they later choose to do so.

Truth: While the majority (70-75%) of hospice patients are over the age of 65, hospice care is for all ages.

Truth: A hospice patient is not required to change physicians. Any Louisiana licensed physician can be the primary physician if he or she is willing to work with the Hospice of Leesville team.

Truth: A patient is not denied an I.V. or feeding tube. All services are directed toward symptom control and pain management.

Truth: Hospice care is appropriate for the end-stage of any terminal illness or life-threatening condition. This includes heart disease and lung disease, among other terminal illnesses.

Truth: Hospice of Leesville is reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and by most commercial insurance plans. Hospice care is not only for the very poor.

Truth: Hospices are very active and proactive in addressing the full range of medical, emotional, and spiritual concerns through the efforts of a comprehensive team of professionals, support staff, and volunteers. Hospice of Leesville goal is that each patient will experience the best quality of life.

Truth: Although hospice care is provided most often in the home, there are significant differences between hospice and home health care. Home health is based on a medical model and addresses mainly issues dealing with the patient’s physical condition. Hospice is holistic in nature and addresses the entire patient, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Unlike home health, hospice patients are not required to be homebound. They are free to enjoy a complete range of social activities, as long as they are physically able. Also unlike home health agencies, Hospice of Leesville has physicians, chaplains, and volunteers who visit patients at home and a comprehensive bereavement program to support family members after the death of their loved one.