Frequently asked questions about Whatcom Hospice

What is Whatcom Hospice?

Whatcom Hospice, a program of St. Joseph Hospital, provides care that values life from the moment it begins until the moment it ends. With hospice, the end of life does not have to be painful or lonely. Caring, personalized hospice care helps patients to live each remaining day of life to the fullest, in comfort and dignity.

Hospice provides life-affirming care for patients and their families, helping them with the medical, social, emotional and spiritual concerns that often arise during a life-threatening illness.

Who pays for Hospice care?

Most insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, offer hospice benefits as part of their health care coverage. 

Whatcom Hospice Foundation raises community support to help pay for items and services not covered by insurance. For information or to make a gift, call 733-1231.

How does someone become a Hospice patient?

The patient, family or physician can call 733-5877 to ask for hospice information or admission.

Hospice admits patients who:

• Have an illness causing a limited life expectancy

• Choose to have care aimed at providing comfort when curing the disease is no longer possible

• Have a doctor’s order for hospice care

Does joining Hospice mean you’re giving up hope?

NO. Hospice encourages hope by focusing on comfort, dignity and meaningful time with loved ones near the end of life.

Is Hospice only for cancer patients?

NO. Hospice is available to anyone with an advanced illness and a limited life 
expectancy. Hospice has helped patients with chronic lung disease, heart disease, ALS  (Lou Gehrig’s disease), AIDS, and other illnesses as well as those with cancer.

What does Hospice Provide?

• Medical and Nursing Care under the guidance of a registered nurse care 
  manager.

• Social Work Services for referrals to available community, financial and legal 
  resources and for counseling if needed.

• An interfaith chaplain trained to help with grief and loss, who works closely 
  with the patient’s own clergy to provide spiritual support.

• Volunteers specially trained to offer support and respite.

• Grief Support Services throughout the terminal illness and following the 
  patient’s death.

The unique features of the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefit include hospice care throughout the illness, coverage of related medications, equipment and supplies, and respite.

A patient who lives full-time in one of our contracted nursing homes is usually 
covered for hospice services under the Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit.

If a patient has no health insurance, or if health insurance does not cover all the costs of hospice care, Whatcom Hospice will help find resources to ensure access to services.