Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a special kind of healthcare for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Hospice aims to ease the person's suffering, relieve social, emotional, or spiritual pain, and provide support for family and friends affected by the illness. Serious illnesses aren't just the patient's burden; caregivers, family and friends can be affected in many ways. The Burke Hospice team cares for anyone who needs support to deal with the person's illness.
One of the chief goals of Hospice is to allow the person to continue living fully and comfortably at home—a residence, nursing facility, assisted living, etc.—for as long as possible. A team of professionals (nurse, social worker, and others) visits the patient and family at home. Each team member is dedicated to using his or her special skills and experience to make you as comfortable as possible. Read more about the care team on our Hospice page.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative [PAL-yuh-tiv] Care is a new kind of medical care that developed as a reaction to the detached, impersonal health care that seriously ill people have often received. Palliative Care is designed to help people in early stages of their illnesses manage their conditions at home, and provide all the information needed to make the right decisions about their health care. Like Hospice, Palliative Care seeks to comfort the whole person, not just an illness.
The Palliative Care physician or nurse practitioner may recommend you meet with other professionals to help with emotional, social, or religious issues. To learn more about the Burke Palliative Care team, read our Palliative Care page.
Who receives Palliative Care or Hospice Care?
People who have serious illnesses are eligible for Palliative Care or Hospice. The determining factor for the programs is time.
However, these guidelines are not set in stone. Diseases can be unpredictable; life expectancies can improve and decline. Whether you stage a comeback or sense a downturn, we adapt to your needs on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis. It is not uncommon to have had all three programs at different points of your journey.
One of the most frequent comments we hear is, "I wish we'd known about Burke Hospice sooner." If you have been given a serious diagnosis, we hope you will contact us as soon as possible! Use the Referral form to reach us online, or call us at 828/879-1601. We may be able to start your services today!
Aren't all hospices the same?
No. There are a number of both for-profit and non-profit hospices serving Burke County and the surrounding area. These hospices differ widely in the services they offer and the quality of care they provide. Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is the only licensed hospice which is located Burke County. We offer the only Hospice House convenient to Burke residents. Our home office in Valdese allows us fast response times to patients from Jonas Ridge to Hildebran, from Linville to Lower Fork. We have nearly 30 years of experience serving Burke County residents and our neighbors in nearby counties. Ask for Burke Hospice and Palliative Care by name!
I thought Hospice was only for cancer patients.
Although many hospices were founded to serve cancer patients, modern hospices like Burke Hospice and Palliative Care serve people with any serious diagnosis. In fact, only 37% of our patients in 2009 had cancer. Today, we care for people with heart disease, Alzheimer's, emphysema, AIDS-related conditions, and many other diagnoses.
When should a decision be made about entering Hospice or Palliative Care? Who should make the decision?
Many times, a person diagnosed with a serious illness is so overwhelmed by the news that he or she may not learn about all of their healthcare options until it is too late. We believe the conversation about what you want from your care should start immediately. That's why we recommend Palliative Care as early as your diagnosis. Our Palliative Care physician or nurse practitioner can talk with you about your goals and wishes, and help you make sense out of the often-confusing health care system.
While it is good to seek the advice of doctors, clergy, family members, and health care professionals, the decision to enter Hospice or Palliative Care belongs solely to you, the patient. We are ready to help when you need us. Whether you received your diagnosis this morning or have dealt with your illness for months, it's always a good time to call Burke Hospice and Palliative Care.
How is Hospice Care provided?
The care team from Burke Hospice and Palliative Care provides Hospice Care in your home. In medical terms, they are called the "interdisciplinary team"; you can call them your care team! The team always includes a nurse and social worker. Depending on your needs, you may also choose to include a certified nurse's aide (CNA), chaplain, counselor, and/or volunteer.
The Burke Hospice team works with your doctor to develop a plan for your care, and provides instruction and support to your caregivers. (Caregivers can be spouses, family members, or friends who help with your day-to-day care. Your caregiver does not have to live with you.) Burke Hospice professionals will then set up a regular schedule for visits—fewer visits if your health is stable, more visits if you experience a decline.
Read more about Hospice services on our Hospice Care page.
How long is Hospice needed?
As long as necessary. Six months is the general guideline from Medicare, but if the person is still in a decline, they can be recertified for Hospice benefits and continue to receive care. Some patients are with Burke Hospice and Palliative Care for only a few days, or hours; others are able to spend months with us. It is always better to join Burke Hospice sooner rather than later, since the care team can provide support to the patient and family that can last far beyond a crisis situation. Indeed, some of our patients will have a period of improvement after they are admitted to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, as their symptoms are being managed and pain is reduced.
What if I get better?
If your condition improves or your disease seems to be in remission, you may be able to leave Burke Hospice and Palliative Care services and return to active therapy. In fact, about 10% of our patients actually improve so much they are discharged and return home! Likewise, if you decide Burke Hospice is not for you, or you would like to seek more aggressive treatment, you can always be voluntarily discharged.
If you should need to return to Burke Hospice care later, Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance will allow additional benefit coverage. If you have more questions about how this works, ask the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Admissions Nurse or Intake Coordinator at 828/879-1601, or email [email protected].
How are Palliative Care and Hospice services paid for?
Palliative Care visits are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance providers.
Hospice visits are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some insurance plans.
For those without insurance coverage, we offer a flexible billing policy. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay.
Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is a non-profit organization. Community support is essential for us to continue serving seriously ill people who are unable to pay for their care. We look to the generosity of the people and institutions within the community for financial support. If you would like to help, your tax-deductible contribution to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is appreciated.
We are committed to providing the very best care that we possibly can. If you have a concern or suggestion about the care we provide, we would like to hear from you. You can let us know by:
I have other questions not answered here.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to use our Referral form and a Burke Hospice staff member will be happy to assist you further. Or, call us with your questions at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care 828-879-1601.
- What is Hospice?
- What is Palliative Care?
- Who receives Palliative Care or Hospice?
- Aren't all hospices the same?
- I thought Hospice was only for cancer patients.
- When should a decision be made about entering Hospice or Palliative Care? Who should make the decision?
- How is Hospice Care provided?
- How long is Hospice needed?
- What if I get better?
- How are Hospice services paid for?
- I have other questions…?
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a special kind of healthcare for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Hospice aims to ease the person's suffering, relieve social, emotional, or spiritual pain, and provide support for family and friends affected by the illness. Serious illnesses aren't just the patient's burden; caregivers, family and friends can be affected in many ways. The Burke Hospice team cares for anyone who needs support to deal with the person's illness.
One of the chief goals of Hospice is to allow the person to continue living fully and comfortably at home—a residence, nursing facility, assisted living, etc.—for as long as possible. A team of professionals (nurse, social worker, and others) visits the patient and family at home. Each team member is dedicated to using his or her special skills and experience to make you as comfortable as possible. Read more about the care team on our Hospice page.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative [PAL-yuh-tiv] Care is a new kind of medical care that developed as a reaction to the detached, impersonal health care that seriously ill people have often received. Palliative Care is designed to help people in early stages of their illnesses manage their conditions at home, and provide all the information needed to make the right decisions about their health care. Like Hospice, Palliative Care seeks to comfort the whole person, not just an illness.
The Palliative Care physician or nurse practitioner may recommend you meet with other professionals to help with emotional, social, or religious issues. To learn more about the Burke Palliative Care team, read our Palliative Care page.
Who receives Palliative Care or Hospice Care?
People who have serious illnesses are eligible for Palliative Care or Hospice. The determining factor for the programs is time.
- Anyone with a serious diagnosis who is experiencing more symptoms or more frequent problems would probably be referred to Palliative Care.
- Those with advanced stages of disease—who have been given time frames like "six months or less"—are best served by the in-depth care of Hospice.
However, these guidelines are not set in stone. Diseases can be unpredictable; life expectancies can improve and decline. Whether you stage a comeback or sense a downturn, we adapt to your needs on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis. It is not uncommon to have had all three programs at different points of your journey.
One of the most frequent comments we hear is, "I wish we'd known about Burke Hospice sooner." If you have been given a serious diagnosis, we hope you will contact us as soon as possible! Use the Referral form to reach us online, or call us at 828/879-1601. We may be able to start your services today!
Aren't all hospices the same?
No. There are a number of both for-profit and non-profit hospices serving Burke County and the surrounding area. These hospices differ widely in the services they offer and the quality of care they provide. Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is the only licensed hospice which is located Burke County. We offer the only Hospice House convenient to Burke residents. Our home office in Valdese allows us fast response times to patients from Jonas Ridge to Hildebran, from Linville to Lower Fork. We have nearly 30 years of experience serving Burke County residents and our neighbors in nearby counties. Ask for Burke Hospice and Palliative Care by name!
I thought Hospice was only for cancer patients.
Although many hospices were founded to serve cancer patients, modern hospices like Burke Hospice and Palliative Care serve people with any serious diagnosis. In fact, only 37% of our patients in 2009 had cancer. Today, we care for people with heart disease, Alzheimer's, emphysema, AIDS-related conditions, and many other diagnoses.
When should a decision be made about entering Hospice or Palliative Care? Who should make the decision?
Many times, a person diagnosed with a serious illness is so overwhelmed by the news that he or she may not learn about all of their healthcare options until it is too late. We believe the conversation about what you want from your care should start immediately. That's why we recommend Palliative Care as early as your diagnosis. Our Palliative Care physician or nurse practitioner can talk with you about your goals and wishes, and help you make sense out of the often-confusing health care system.
While it is good to seek the advice of doctors, clergy, family members, and health care professionals, the decision to enter Hospice or Palliative Care belongs solely to you, the patient. We are ready to help when you need us. Whether you received your diagnosis this morning or have dealt with your illness for months, it's always a good time to call Burke Hospice and Palliative Care.
How is Hospice Care provided?
The care team from Burke Hospice and Palliative Care provides Hospice Care in your home. In medical terms, they are called the "interdisciplinary team"; you can call them your care team! The team always includes a nurse and social worker. Depending on your needs, you may also choose to include a certified nurse's aide (CNA), chaplain, counselor, and/or volunteer.
The Burke Hospice team works with your doctor to develop a plan for your care, and provides instruction and support to your caregivers. (Caregivers can be spouses, family members, or friends who help with your day-to-day care. Your caregiver does not have to live with you.) Burke Hospice professionals will then set up a regular schedule for visits—fewer visits if your health is stable, more visits if you experience a decline.
Read more about Hospice services on our Hospice Care page.
How long is Hospice needed?
As long as necessary. Six months is the general guideline from Medicare, but if the person is still in a decline, they can be recertified for Hospice benefits and continue to receive care. Some patients are with Burke Hospice and Palliative Care for only a few days, or hours; others are able to spend months with us. It is always better to join Burke Hospice sooner rather than later, since the care team can provide support to the patient and family that can last far beyond a crisis situation. Indeed, some of our patients will have a period of improvement after they are admitted to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, as their symptoms are being managed and pain is reduced.
What if I get better?
If your condition improves or your disease seems to be in remission, you may be able to leave Burke Hospice and Palliative Care services and return to active therapy. In fact, about 10% of our patients actually improve so much they are discharged and return home! Likewise, if you decide Burke Hospice is not for you, or you would like to seek more aggressive treatment, you can always be voluntarily discharged.
If you should need to return to Burke Hospice care later, Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance will allow additional benefit coverage. If you have more questions about how this works, ask the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Admissions Nurse or Intake Coordinator at 828/879-1601, or email [email protected].
How are Palliative Care and Hospice services paid for?
Palliative Care visits are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance providers.
Hospice visits are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some insurance plans.
For those without insurance coverage, we offer a flexible billing policy. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay.
Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is a non-profit organization. Community support is essential for us to continue serving seriously ill people who are unable to pay for their care. We look to the generosity of the people and institutions within the community for financial support. If you would like to help, your tax-deductible contribution to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care is appreciated.
We are committed to providing the very best care that we possibly can. If you have a concern or suggestion about the care we provide, we would like to hear from you. You can let us know by:
- Notifing the Hospice President & CEO at:
Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 1721 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
Or by calling 828/879-1601
- The Joint Commission at 630/792-5900
- NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) Toll-Free Number to lodge a complaint at 1-800-624-3004
- Burke Hospice & Palliative Care belongs to a Quality Improvement Organization. For any quality of care concerns or review of medical services, you may contact QIO-KEPRO at 1- 844-855- 8708.
I have other questions not answered here.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to use our Referral form and a Burke Hospice staff member will be happy to assist you further. Or, call us with your questions at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care 828-879-1601.
