Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness who are nearing the end of life - an expectancy of about six months or less. The focus shifts from curing illness to comfort, dignity, and quality of life, with support for both patients and the people who love them.

Both hospice and palliative care focus on comfort and relief from symptoms. The difference is timing and goals.

Palliative care can be provided alongside treatment at any stage of illness and focuses on improving quality of life long-term. Hospice care begins when treatment is no longer working or no longer desired, and care is centered fully on comfort. It neither hastens death nor prolongs life.

No. Hospice is not about giving up - it’s about changing the focus of care. Many families find it allows for more comfort, fewer hospital visits, and more meaningful time together.

Hospice is appropriate when a person is living with a serious illness and is expectd to live six months or less. Many families say they wish they had started sooner, as hospice can provide meaningful support well before the final days.

Hospice care is typically available to individuals with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of about six months or less, as determined by a physician. Eligibility can be reassessed over time as needs change.

Hospice care is provided wherever you call home, whether that’s a private residence, assisted living, or a nursing facility.

For patients who need hospital-level care, Pete Moore Hospice House offers a homelike setting with around-the-clock clinical support. The house is also available for respite and residential care - find out more here.

• All medical care related to the condition for which you were referred. (Acute care, such as a broken bone, continues to be handled by appropriate outside providers.)

• Pain and symptom management.

• Regular visits in your home.

• Delivery of all medications and medical equipment to your home - plus training for you and your caregiver(s).

• 24/7 on-call access to a hospice nurse, including weekends and holidays.

• Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family members.

• Volunteer assistance and alternative comfort care measures.

Hospice care includes support for the whole family. This may include education, respite care at Pete Moore Hospice House, emotional and spiritual support, and grief support both during care and after a loved one’s death.

Hospice teams are available around the clock. Families are encouraged to call hospice first, rather than 911, so the care team can respond in a way that aligns with the patient’s goals and plan of care.

You may be referred by your physician or family member, or you can call Cascade Health directly at 541-228-3050. Two physicians then must assess and certify that hospice is appropriate for you. This is typically done by your physician and Cascade Health’s medical director.

Yes. Patients can choose to stop hospice care at any time and return to curative treatment if their goals change.

If a patient’s condition stabilizes or improves, they may no longer meet hospice criteria and can be discharged. Hospice care can be resumed in the future if eligibility returns.

Medicare, Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan and most private insurance plans cover the costs of hospice. Usually, Cascade Health is able to bill your insurance company directly, but an intake specialist will be able to provide specific details about your insurance coverage.

Hospice staff support families through the immediate next steps and offer grief support in the months that follow. Care does not end at death - it continues in the form of bereavement support.