FAQs
Hospice is highly specialized care for patients – and their families – when the focus turns to comfort and quality of life rather than a cure. Services from Northern Illinois Hospice include expert medical care from doctors and nurses, as well as emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.
The guideline for hospice is when doctors believe the patient has about six months or less to live if the illness runs its natural course. But predicting life expectancy is not an exact science. If you or your loved one are experiencing increased pain or other symptoms, more frequent trips to the ER or hospital, or growing needs just to get through each day, call us to see how we can help.
No. Doctors may say, “There is nothing more we can do” to treat for a cure. But there are still many things Northern Illinois Hospice can do to support the highest quality of life possible! Hospice doesn’t mean giving up – it means taking control to live the rest of your life on your terms.
Hospice care is typically provided wherever the patient calls home – whether a private residence, assisted living community or skilled nursing center. Most patients find more comfort in being surrounded by the people and things they love. Northern Illinois Hospice partners with families and healthcare residences alike to keep patients at home where they prefer.
Absolutely! A vital part of Northern Illinois Hospice’s service is caring for family caregivers. We provide education and training to help family members become more capable and confident caregivers. Our expert team and volunteers step in to give family caregivers an occasional break. In addition, we provide emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.
No. A growing number of hospice providers are present in the Greater Rockford area. Each is a different organization with differences in their years of experience, services provided, policies for admitting patients, nonprofit versus for-profit status, as well as quality and family satisfaction scores. Northern Illinois Hospice is the region’s first hospice provider with more than 40 years’ experience. We’re also a nonprofit, mission-driven agency.
Hospice care is a benefit covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. The hospice benefit covers care, prescriptions and medical equipment directly related to the patient’s terminal diagnosis. Patients/families are billed, as required by law, for any applicable copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. We can fully explain the coverages for you or your loved one based on the exact medical condition and the patient’s insurance. As part of our nonprofit mission, Northern Illinois Hospice doesn’t turn anyone away based on ability to pay.
It starts by simply calling us at 815.398.0500 or by submitting our electronic referral form. We can help assess if hospice care is appropriate for you or your loved one. If so, we will coordinate all the details with the patient’s physician to begin the admissions process.