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Q: What is hospice care?
A: Hospice care is a compassionate way to care for patients with a life limiting illness. The focus is on comfort, pain and symptom relief, and emotional support to the patient and those that love them.

Q: Where can I get the care of Forbes Hospice?
A: Forbes Hospice cares for people in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Whether in your own home, a nursing or assisted living facility, or our own inpatient unit, Forbes Hospice can care for you.

Q: Does a patient have to be close to death to be referred to Forbes Hospice?
A: No. Forbes Hospice encourages early referral to our program so that the patients and families can get to know and trust us. That way, our interventions can better enhance the quality of life and support for everyone involved.

Q: Do patients have to be diagnosed with cancer?
A: No. Forbes Hospice serves patients of all ages with any life limiting disease.

Q: Will I have to give up my family physician?
A: No. Patients of Forbes Hospice continue to be served by their own physician. Our team works with each physician, and serves as the eyes and ears of the physician in the home.

Q: How long can a patient receive hospice care?
A: Indefinitely, or as long as the patient's condition remains appropriate for home care. Should a patient stabilize and improve, they can be discharged from hospice, and can be readmitted at a later date.

Q: Can patients be admitted directly from the hospital?
A: Yes. Our admissions coordinators work with the physicians and discharge planners in each area hospital. We coordinate discharge, and order any needed equipment. Upon discharge, our admissions nurses will see patients in their homes. In some cases, we can admit patients to the Forbes Hospice program while the patient is still in the hospital.

Q: Will hospice hasten my death?
A: Hospice does nothing to either prolong nor hasten death. Forbes Hospice's plan of care focuses on comfort rather than cure, meaning, we address all issues of keeping people comfortable, from pain, from annoying symptoms, from frantic calls to 911 and sometimes scary hospitalizations. We respect each individual's wishes to remain at home with their loved ones, in peace and comfort.

Q: Isn't hospice for those people who are bedridden and very ill?
A: Many hospice patients are able to enjoy life much as they did before. Often, patients delay referrals to hospice until they are too overwhelmed and exhausted to enjoy life. Hospice's goal is to keep patients comfortable so that they can visit with family, and continue many of their previous activities. Forbes Hospice provides needed support and guidance to families struggling with end of life decisions, saying goodbye and getting their affairs in order.

Q: Who pays for hospice care?
A: Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances have a hospice benefit. The criterion is that patients have a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to be eligible to receive a full range of medical and support services.

If you are considering hospice for yourself or a loved one, we would be honored to answer any questions you may have. Please let us help you. You can always call one of our admissions nurses who can talk with you about any aspects of hospice.