Hospice Care of Central Pennsylvania

What is hospice care? 

Hospice care is a special healthcare option to provide the terminally ill of Central Pennsylvania and their families with compassion, dignity and care through there difficult time. 

A multi-disciplinary team of physician, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers works together to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient and family. The hospice team provides care to patients in their own home or a home-like setting regardless of the patient’s age or ability to pay. There are many things to consider when making a decision about hospice. 

Some of the difficult questions may be, how do you know when it is time for hospice care: 

• Is your loved one a strong as they use to be and not responding to medical treatment? 
• Do they wish for comfort rather than a cure? 
• Have you heard them say, “I cannot do this anymore”? 
• Have they been diagnosed with a terminal or life-limiting disease? 

While, we understand that everyone’s situation is unique, below please find additional information that may be helpful to you and your family.

What does hospice really do? 

Hospice provides specialized care services (patient care including symptom management, emotional support, spiritual support and psychosocial intervention), addressing issues most important to the patient’s needs and wants at the end of their life focusing on improving the individual’s quality of life. 

How do I know when it is time for end-of-life care? 

Patients are eligible for hospice care when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. At that time comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus, and curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option. 

When should hospice be called? 

Hospice should be called at any time the patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. It is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. 

Where is hospice care provided? 

Hospice care is provided in a setting that best meets the needs of each patient and family. The most common setting is the patient’s home. Hospice care is also provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals according to patient care needs. 

Are all hospices the same?
 
No. “Hospice” is a medical specialty like pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, etc. Each hospice is a different company. All hospices have the same general philosophy but their services may differ. Some hospices are for-profit corporations, while others are not-for-profit organizations. Request the hospice of your choice if more than one hospice serves your area. 

Does hospice provide 24 hour in home care? 

No. Hospice provides intermittent nursing visits to assess, monitor and treat symptoms, as well as teach family and caregivers the skills they need to care for the patient. Team members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions or visit anytime the need for support arises. 

Does hospice do anything to bring death sooner? 

No. Our goal is always to alleviate suffering and manage symptoms. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. Our role is to lend support and allow the disease process to unfold as comfortable as possible. 

Can I live alone and still receive hospice services? 

It will depend on the hospice service in your area. Part of the admission and ongoing care process, however, is to plan and prepare for the time in a patient’s illness when 24-hour-a-day care will be necessary. 

Can a hospice patient choose to return to curative treatment? 

Yes. Receiving hospice care is always a choice. A patient may leave hospice and return to curative treatment if that is their choice. If the patient later chooses to return to hospice care, Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies permit re-activation of the hospice benefit. 

Can I go back to the hospital and still receive hospice care? 

Yes. Many symptoms, however, that would normally require hospitalization or an emergency room visit can be successfully managed at home by the hospice team, thus preventing the stress of hospitalization. Hospice patients generally only have the need for short hospital stays to stabilize a symptom and then are able to return home. 

Is the decision for hospice care giving up hope or waiting to die? 

No. Hospice is about living. Hospice strives to bring quality of life and comfort to a patient and their family. Our successes are in helping a patient and family live fully until the end. Often patients will feel better with good pain and symptom management. Hospice is an experience of care and support, different from any other type of care. 

Do I have to be homebound to receive Hospice services? 

No. Hospice is about living fully. We encourage patients to do what they enjoy as they are able. The hospice team assists patients and families in achieving their goals and dreams as much as possible. 

Does Hospice provide support to the family after the patient dies? 

Yes. Bereavement services follow family and caregivers for a year following the patient’s death. These services may include personal visits, providing information concerning the grief process and offering periodic opportunities for group support. Bereavement services provides information and referral to other area resources when needed. 

​Hospice Facilities

Centre Crossings Hospice 
2437 Commercial Blvd Suite 6
State College, PA 16801
814.237.7400 

Grane Hospice Care Centre County
115 Union Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone: 814-381-0100
Toll Free: 1-866-383-4156

Medi Home Health & Hospice 
341 Science Park Road 
State College, PA 16803 
814.235.1048 

Penn Highland Community Nurses 
(Serving the State College area) 
1033 Turnpike Avenue, Suite 100 
Clearfield, PA 16830 
814.768.2012 

UPMC Home Care of Central Pennsylvania/Family Hospice
450 Windmere Drive, #100 
State College, PA 16801 
814.237.1404 

365 Hospice State College
220 Regent Ct., Suite F
State College, PA 16801
814.946.5017