Knowing you are not alone.
Getting control of pain and discomfort
Easing the financial burden of illness
Having support around the clock
Make Every Day Matter, Ask About Hospice!
Every Moment is to Be Treasured!
Every phase of life has its own challenges and rewards. Hospice Care exists to provide support on every level from the moment your illness becomes life limiting.
Hospice is dedicated to providing comfort care and pain control, so that patients and families can experience the full meaning of this phase of life. Hospice provides a team of medical, spiritual, compassionate care in your home or in the Hospice Residence.
What does the Hospice team provide?
Hospice of Jefferson County provides a team of professionals to help families during the final months of a loved one's life. The Hospice team works with the patient, the family, and the patient's physician to put together a unique plan of care. The plan belongs to the patient and family, as do any changes along the way.
The Hospice team consists of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Social Workers, Bereavement Counselors, and Volunteers. Visits are made to the patient's home as often as indicated by the plan of care, with phone support and emergency visits available twenty-four hours a day. Medications and medical supplies that are necessary to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with the terminal condition are supplied as part of the Hospice benefit.
The Hospice team is interdisciplinary, recognizing that a life-limiting illness has emotional and spiritual dimensions for both the patient and family. Bereavement counseling is made available to family members for up to a year after the death of a loved one.
Who is eligible for Hospice?
Hospice care should be considered for anyone who has been determined to have a life expectancy of six months or less. Under current Medicare regulations and most insurance plans, the decision to elect Hospice benefits requires that curative treatment not be pursued, so it is important that the patient and family understand all their options. (The Medicaid program now allows children to receive both Hospice and curative treatment, and pilot projects are underway to test permitting concurrent treatment for adults.)
How is a referral for Hospice made?
A referral can be made by the patient, a family member or the patient's physician, simply by calling the Hospice office at 315-788-7323. The Hospice admissions coordinator will contact the family and schedule a home visit. A request for a home visit does not in any way obligate the patient to accept Hospice care; in fact, it is critical that the patient and family receive a full explanation of the Hospice benefit before making a decision.
Where are these services provided?
Hospice of Jefferson County is licensed by the New York State Department of Health to provide services in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. Most patients are cared for in their own homes, but residents of adult homes, intermediate care facilities, and nursing homes are also eligible to receive care by our expert staff. For those who want an alternative to home care or institutional care (hospital or nursing home), our newly opened Residence is an excellent option.
Caregiver Guide
Please use the documents below as resources
What does Hospice Care Cost?
For most patients, there is no cost, not even a co-pay. Hospice coverage is a right for all who meet medical criteria under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and most other insurance plans provide some coverage. For those patients who elect care in the Residence, however, there is a Room and Board fee exempt for those with Medicaid coverage. Our Director of Finance will meet with you to review your insurance coverage. A sliding scale fee is available. No one is refused care due to the lack of insurance coverage or ability to pay.
Getting Help
Getting help may be something you are interested in but making the decision to contact Hospice can be the hardest part. Hospice of Jefferson County can help make that decision easier. Our expert Hospice staff will answer any questions you might have and will determine if you or your loved one is appropriate for Hospice Care. Below are some steps you can take to help make the process easier.
Patients admitted to Hospice earlier often live longer and have improved quality of life. The focus shifts from “fighting to stay alive” to “living life to the fullest extent possible.” It takes less energy and changes the focus from a negative outlook to a positive one.
Learn about Hospice and your options.
The best time to learn about Hospice is before you need it.The patient and family can benefit much more from Hospice services if referred earlier.At any time during a life-threatening illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s healthcare options, including Hospice.
A referral to Hospice is appropriate when:

- A patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
- Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus.
- Curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option
- A patient admitted to hospice can go “off” hospice care if their health improves or to try a treatment that may cure. There is no limit to the number of times a patient can get hospice care.
Call us to inquire about Hospice services or to begin the referral process.
Please call us at 315.788.7323, and our Intake Coordinator will help you begin the referral process. Making this important phone call is the next step.
Anyone can begin the referral process, including but not limited to:
- Physicians
- Discharge Planners
- Social Workers
- Patients
- Family Members
- Nursing Homes
- Friends
- Clergy
The Admission Process
The Hospice Staff will perform an assessment and the Hospice Medical Director will determine eligibility. A Hospice Care Team will be assigned to the patient and family and will make the transition to Hospice Care as seamless as possible. We treat all of our patients and their families with dignity. We respect your privacy and keep all information shared confidential.
